Bangladesh: Hindu actor abused, bullied by Islamists after studying his religion

Chanchal Chowdhury, a National award-winning actor in Bangladesh, was abused and bullied on social media by Islamists after they learnt that he’s a Hindu by religion. He has acted in a number of movies comparable to ‘Debi’, ‘Aynabaji’, ‘Monpura’, ‘Rupkothar Goplo’ and others.
On Sunday (May 9), the critically acclaimed actor had up to date his profile image on the event of International Mother’s Day. He had posted a heartwarming image together with his mom, accompanied by the caption “Maa… (coronary heart image)’. Islamists had been fast to identify the vermillion mark on his mom’s head, a definite characteristic that distinguishes Hindus from Muslims.
It should be talked about that a number of Bangladeshi Muslims bear Hindu names. At occasions, the Hindu names are prefixed with phrases comparable to ‘Mohammed’ to indicate a Muslim identification. The surname of ‘Chowdhury’ that’s suffixed to the actor’s title, as an illustration, is utilized by Hindus and Muslims alike. The surname in query was given to the landlords throughout the British period. As a end result, many Muslims believed that Chanchal Chowdhury adopted the Islamic religion.
Islamists abuse Hindu actor, ask him to transform to Islam
However, on studying that he’s a Hindu, the rabid Islamists didn’t shrink back from spewing vitriol in opposition to him. While some Muslims expressed shock after discovering his non secular affiliation, others requested him to transform to Islam. Some Islamists even resorted to the choicest of expletives and attributing vile names to his mom. “If I wouldn’t have seen this picture, then, I would have remained under the impression that you are a Muslim,” wrote one Al-Sady Prial.
Abuses that the actor bought
“I won’t give a heed to actors such as you after learning that you are a Hindu. I did not know earlier that you are a Hindu,” wrote one other Islamist.
Abuses that the actor bought
Another Islamist named Entazul Haque remarked, “Everyone is born Muslim. But, when their forefathers start worshipping idols, they become Hindus. Islam is the only true religion. Everything else is fake. Carrying the burden of such a religion is nothing but foolishness.”
Abuses that the actor bought
Chanchal Chowdhury speaks out after being abused for being a Hindu
Following the barrage of hate feedback (lots of which stand deleted), the Bangladeshi actor pinned his personal remark. It learn, “Brothers and sisters, what’s your loss or acquire if I’m a Muslim or Hindu? The largest identification of each particular person is that he’s a human. Distasteful questions on faith and discussions should be stopped from all quarters. Come, let’s turn into people first. “
Screengrab of the pinned remark by Chanchal CHowdhury
On Monday, he took to Facebook but once more to recite a poem titled, ‘Dhormo (religion).’ “Who has given you the right to ‘save’ religion? Why do you commercialise religion? All religions speak of serving humanity. Do you feel superior after commercialising yours?” Chanchal Chowdhury learn an excerpt from the poem.
After the controversy got here to the general public limelight, a number of netizens in Bangladesh got here ahead to indicate solidarity with the Hindu actor. With hashtags comparable to #stopcyberbullying and #hokprotibad, the progressive minds got here collectively to counter-attack the common harassment by Islamists on social media. Director Chayanika Chowdhury stated, “Chanchal Chowdhury is my brother, our brother. I am seriously having doubts about our conscience as a nation. This is enough.”
Actor Fazlur Rahman identified, “Ignorant fanatics always go too far in the name of religion.” Another actor Rawnak Hasan remarked, “I condemn those who make these radical and obscene comments. I demand exemplary punishment of these cybercriminals.” A sufferer of cyber assaults, Ashna Habib Bhabna lamented, “Our silence has been their strength.”
Rising hatred in opposition to Hindus in Bangladesh
During the official 2-day go to on PM Modi to Bangladesh, Islamists attacked Hindu Temples to protest in opposition to him. Violent protests have been underway in Bangladesh over the go to by the Indian Prime Minister and a few protesters have died throughout makes an attempt by the police to implement legislation and order.
At the identical time, three rooms of the 400-year-old Paruarkul Ashtagram Maha crematorium and Radhagobind Ashram had been burnt down by unidentified miscreants in Mohammadpur Upazila of Bangladesh’s Magura district. Parts of three homes, chariots and idols had been additionally diminished to ashes within the fireplace which was later introduced beneath management.
Earlier, it was reported that Facebook providers had been down in Bangladesh in mild of the violent protests. Border Guards have been deployed to implement legislation and order on the streets. The Hefazat-e-Islami is a hardline Islamist organisation, whose members have been accused of persecuting Hindus up to now.