Let’s rebuild nation, protect rights of all: Plea from Kolkata's 'mini Bangladesh'
Times of India | 7 August 2024
KOLKATA: Let’s rebuild the nation and protect the rights of all citizens: this was the predominant sentiment among the hundreds of Bangladeshis stuck in Kolkata, who made a fervent plea for peace and harmony among all sects back home.
Bangladeshi students, staying at various hotels here, especially ‘Mini Bangladesh’ Marquis Street, said people from all communities were part of the students’ movement and “fringe elements” were fomenting trouble, taking advantage of the unrest.“Bangladesh belongs to every citizen there. We can’t discriminate and attack others. I have friends from the minority community but our faiths never mattered,” said Moammad Sharfuddin Sayem, a Dhaka University student.
Hundreds, who are in the city for treatment or tourism, are glued to news, hoping for better travel situation to be able to return home at the earliest. “We appeal for peace and harmony in Bangladesh. The protesters have achieved what they had set out for. Now, they should allow the formation of the next govt,” said Ozir Rahman Pintu, a businessman.
Bangladeshi youths pointed out that the student community, which led the anti-quota movement, did not support arson, violence or targeting particular groups. “Despite being from different faiths, they were together,” said Rabbi Hossain, who was a student leader in Dhaka University.