Minister Sayedul to resign if role in Hindu attacks proven

Fisheries and Livestock Minister Sayedul Hoque has denied any role in the attacks on Hindus at Nasirnagar.

A leader of the ruling Awami League, he promised to resign as minister if allegations of inciting communal hate against him were proved.

The accusations against him have been raised by his enemies, the minister said, reading out a written statement in a press conference held at a school in Nasirnagar on Sunday.  

The minister, who represents Brahmanbarhia-1 in parliament, faced much flak for not visiting his constituency in the days following the attack on Oct 30.

The minister also faced criticism after he accused journalists of ‘exaggerating the matter’ when he did visit on Thursday.

Fifteen temples and more than a hundred Hindu homes were looted and vandalised after protests over a Facebook post that allegedly ‘insulted Islam.’ 

“Even a child will find it hard to believe that I have cursed Hindus to fuel communal hate instead of taking measures to control the instability in my electoral area.”

“This is completely false and hints at a conspiracy,” said the adviser for the Awami League’s Brahmanbarhia unit.

The minister, without mentioning names, claimed he was a ‘victim of conspiracy’ by some ‘BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami leaders who are trying to join the Awami League’.

“I’m deeply saddened that Bangladesh Hindu, Buddhist, Christian Unity Council and Bangladesh Puja Celebrations Council have stepped into their trap,” he said.

Sayedul then went on to criticise Rana Dasgupta, general secretary of Bangladesh Hindu, Buddhist, Christian Unity Council and Sultana Kamal, former adviser for Transparency International, Bangladesh.

“Rana Dasgupta has admitted that he made this grave allegation based on hearsay. But these leaders could have met me to offer help in handling the situation.

“But why did they go away to Dhaka after inciting more hate with their comments? This remains a burning query.”

Awami League joint general secretary Mahbub-ul Alam Hanif said Minister Sayedul will face organisational measures if it is proven that he made objectionable remarks about Hindus. 

“I’ll resign if it’s proven that I’ve made such remarks,” he said in reply to a question. 

“You tell me, why should I hurt myself being a minister?”