Khaleda Zia Wooing Hindus

Notwithstanding BNP's close ties with fundamentalist Jamat-e-Islami,Begum Zia paid a visit to the famous Dhakeshwari temple in Dhaka on Wednesdayevening -- her maiden visit to a Hindu shrine--and urged the Hindus to extendall-out support to BNP in the coming poll.

Hindus constitute 12 to 13 percent of Bangladesh's 130million population.

Accusing prime minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League,traditionally perceived sympathetic towards Hindus, of grabbing land of temples,cremation grounds and houses of Hindus, Begum Zia was quoted by newspapers asassuring the Hindu community that BNP would stand by them if they are attacked.

The occasion for Begum Zia's visit to Dhakeswari Mandir, the national temple of Hindus, was part of the observance of 20th deathanniversary of her husband and Bangladesh's slain president Gen Zia-ur-Rahman.It was her first visit to a temple and this was the first time death anniversaryof Zia was held at a mandir in the capital.

Ironically, Begum Zia, who had in 1996 parliamentaryelections campaigned that Bangladesh would be part of India if Awami League wasvoted to power, was quoted as telling the Hindus on Wednesday evening that they"change their attitude once in favour of BNP".

Begum Zia, who had stated in the election campaigns of1996 that Azan (call for Muslim prayer) would be replaced in Bangladesh byblowing of conchshells if Awami League came to power, was greeted to Dhakeshwaritemple in the same traditional Hindu style.

It was during the prime ministership of Begum Zia thataround 3000 temples in Bangladesh were damaged, many women raped and propertiesof Hindus destroyed following the demolition of Babri mosque in India in December1992.

As a mark of protest, a section of Hindus in Bangladeshdid not celebrate their biggest religious festival Durga Puja with traditionalpomp and instead restricted it to a symbolic puja ignoring threats from the thenruling party BNP and its frontal outfits, both overtly and covertly.

Nonetheless, Begum Zia continued to accuse herpolitical rivals saying "Hindu community members have been repressed mostduring the rule of Awami League. BNP is respectful to all religions. If any bodyattacks, we will protest. If they (Awami League) unleash attacks, inform us andwe'll stand beside and protect you as brothers and friends".

Zia said if voted to power, the institutions of Hinduswould be further developed and steps taken so that people of all faith,including Hindus, could practise their religion in proper way.

Hindus in Bangladesh had till the other day had a verypoor representation in government jobs, especially at the higher echelon. BeforeAwami League came to power 1996, not a single minority had occupied the post ofsecretary, the top job in civil bureaucracy. At present, there are five Hindusamong of 56 secretaries.

Besides three ministers, including one with cabinetrank, the Hasina government has appointed three minorities as chiefs ofdiplomatic missions out of about 50 resident missions Bangladesh maintainsaround the world.