Dear Editor,
I am a Buddhist citizen of Bangladesh writing on recent riot that was happened on 29th September in Ramu, and other places. I pray and hope that you would be kind enough to publish this article in your news paper and give us chance to send our voice to the world.
Thanking you on behalf of the people of Ramu, Bangladesh.
Shirupan Barua.
“Devil” destroys Buddhist History in Bangladesh
A famous Buddhist village named Ramu, in Bangladesh has been attacked by terrorists who called themselves the “followers of Islam”. They have torched 11 priceless and historically important wooden Buddhist temples and 25 houses completely; using gunpowder, petrol., and damaged more than 100 houses of Buddhist community in one night .The attack begins at 10 pm on 29th September Saturday night and continues till 5.00 am on 30th September.
Latter hundreds of them who declare themselves as the “fighter of Islam”, attack at least 5 Buddhist temples in Ukhiya, and some more in Teknaf, which are also famous for Buddhist culture. They have destroyed these temples completely and looted many priceless and rare sculptures of the Lord Buddha made of the finest jewel, gold, stone and wood.
These temples and Buddha sculptures are almost 250 to 300 years old and some of them have a rich history of 500 years. The rioters claim that, a Buddhist local young has intentionally uploaded a picture on facebook.com defaming the holy Quran. On that issue the rioters torched these Buddhist temples, houses and looted everything that belongs to the history of Buddhism in this area.
The wooden Buddhist temples are very rare in southern Asia and many of them are located in Bangladesh, which are now lost forever. Bangladesh has witnessed deadly clash between Muslim and Hindus in the past but clash involving Buddhist are rare. A friendly relation between Muslim and Buddhist in the southern area of Bangladesh named Ramu, Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar and Teknaf can be seen for many years and people of this region never met this type of riot based on religion.
Even some brave local Muslims had tried to save some temples, though they failed. The local police did nothing to stop the riot and it seems, the chief of the police station of Ramu is also involved with rioters. Latter the government sent Army there.
The higher authority thinks Rohinga of Myanmar are also involved in this riot and it seems that the total attack is preplanned to take revenge against some recent riots in Myanmar between Rohinga and Rakhaine. Ramu, Ukhiya,
Teknaf and Cox’s Bazar are rich of Buddhist culture and history for many years and close to the border with Buddhist-majority Myanmar. By this brutal attack the history of Buddhism in Bangladesh and archeologically rare Buddhist temples and statues have been destroyed. Many ministers are visiting the area and Bangladesh Army, Border Guard Bangladesh, and RAB are giving protection to the local Buddhist community, but these people who have witnessed the riot closely, have been passing their days in fear.
Bangladesh Army and Border Guard Bangladesh are also working to rebuild the houses of Buddhist people. The Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is going to visit area of Ramu which is affected the most. But nothing can bring these lost precious wooden Buddhist temples, statues of Lord Buddha, ancient library containing thousands books written on the history, back to their previous position. The rioters, who have committed this crime, can not be recognized as Muslims, they should be known as the “followers of Devil”.
Shirupan Barua shirubarua@yahoo.com