Attack On The Christians in Bangladesh Is An Attack On The Fundamental Human Right To Freedom Of Religion
Inter-Religious Solidarity Council
2 January 2024
Statement of the Inter-Religious Solidarity Council on attack on Christians in Bangladesh
The Inter-Religious Solidarity Council (IRSC), Mumbai, expresses deep concern and anguish over the recent attacks on Christian homes in Bangladesh. IRSC is platform of religious leaders from all religions and faiths along with leaders from faith communities and civil society.
On Christmas Eve, seventeen houses belonging to the Christian community in Notun Tongjhiri Tripura Para, located in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, were set on fire by unidentified miscreants. Out of the nineteen Christian homes in the village, seventeen were completely destroyed, and the remaining two were partially damaged. This senseless act of violence is deeply disturbing, especially during a time when the community was attending mass to celebrate Christmas.
The IRSC strongly condemns these attacks, which not only cause immense physical and emotional suffering to the affected families but also violate the values of love, justice, and forgiveness that Christmas symbolizes. Christmas is a time for celebrating the birth of Lord Jesus and reflecting on the principles of peace and goodwill. The targeting of Christian homes on this sacred occasion is a painful reminder of the urgent need to protect religious freedoms and ensure the safety of all communities, regardless of their faith.
Bangladesh, a diverse nation with Muslim, Hindu, and Christian populations, must uphold its commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all its citizens. The IRSC calls on the Government of Bangladesh to bring those responsible for these heinous acts to justice and take concrete measures to ensure the security, equality, and inclusion of all communities within the country. It is imperative that the state foster inter-community dialogue, promote mutual respect, and work towards greater communal harmony.
Acts of violence such as this are not only an attack on the Christian community but on the fundamental human right to freedom of religion or belief, a cornerstone of any democratic society. The IRSC urges the Government of Bangladesh to take swift and decisive action to prevent such incidents and to promote a culture of peace, tolerance, and respect for diversity in the country.
Shri Keshav Chandra Das, Convenor, IRSC & ISKCON
Maulana Faiyaz Baqir,
Pastor Devdan Tribhuvan
Shri Stanely Fernandes
Ms. Urmi Chanda
Ms. Shweta Damle
Ms. Seema Indorewala
Ms. Neha Dabhade
Shri Mayur Yewale
Shri Irfan Engineer
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