Hindu Bengalis find support from AUDF

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By our Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI, Oct 28: In what can be termed as a new twist as far as policy matters of the party is concerned, the AUDF has sought for a ‘separate policy’ to deal with the Hindu Bengalis displaced from erstwhile East Pakistan.
Expressing concern over the report of alleged harassment of Hindu Bengali families in various parts of the State, the party has raised its voice demanding ‘some relaxation’ in existing laws while dealing with displaced Hindu Bengalis on humanitarian ground.

“Hindu Bengalis displaced from erstwhile East Pakistan should not be treated at par with the Muslims, since the situation had compelled them to cross the border,” said AUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal today. As the party has received several reports from various parts of the State about the harassment of the Bengali Hindus, it has decided to move the Centre seeking for a separate policy in this regard, he said, mentioning the recent expulsion order issued to the families of Manik Das (Udarband) and Dinesh Saha (Hojai).

“We have already had a discussion with the Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav and Amar Singh in this regard and they have assured us to take up the issue with Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil and Minister of External Affairs Pranab Mukherjee,” he said. The party will go to any extent to draw an end to the ongoing harassment against the Bengali Hindus, he declared.

The AUDF president said that the BJP is only showcasing the Hindutva slogan for gaining political mileage without doing much to stop the harassment of Hindus. He appealed to the all the political parties to put pressure on New Delhi on the issue by raising above political interests.

AUDF working president Hafiz Rashid Ahmed Choudhury said that the party has decided to provide legal assistance to the Bengali Hindus who are facing charges of being foreigners and subjected to harassment due to ignorance.

He said, “The Immigrations (Expulsion from Assam) Act, 1950, has clearly stated that the Act is not applicable to those who have been displaced from erstwhile East Pakistan for civil disturbance or fear of civil disturbance. The AUDF has also demanded a white paper on how many people have been pushed back to Bangladesh so far. The party has suggested a concrete treaty with Dhaka in this regard to make the expulsion of foreigners more affective.” source: the sentinel assam