Last Updated:
An Indian tourist, Sayan Ghosh, who recently visited Bangladesh met an irate mob, who he claims targeted him for being an Indian and a Hindu.
Sayan Ghosh was attacked by a mob of Islamists in Dhaka’s Jurain area when he was roaming around with his friend. He was visiting Bangladesh as a tourist. (IMAGE: SOURCED)
Sayan Ghosh, a resident of West Bengal’s Belghoria, faced the wrath of a mob of Islamist hardliners who he claims targeted him for being an Indian citizen as well as an adherent of the Hindu faith.
Sayan said the mob confronted him in Dhaka’s Jurain area when he went out with his friend for a visit to the market. He said a group of miscreants came and confronted him and asked his nationality and religion.
“At least 5-6 boys from the Muslim community came and asked me where I was from and what I was doing here. The moment they heard I was Indian and a Hindu they started thrashing me,” Ghosh said.
Ghosh said he would have lost his eyesight as the goons swiped a knife in front of his face. He was nonetheless injured as it swiped another area of his face. He said that he was hit in the head with a stone.
“We told him not to go, but he went for his friend. Whatever happened there is unimaginable. He is in a state of shock. We will take him to the doctor and also lodge a complaint with the high commission,” Sukanto Ghosh, Sayan’s father said.
“He is traumatised,” he further added.
Sayan also said that he is deeply shocked with what happened to him but expressed he was more surprised when no one came to help him.
“They (passersby) instead of helping me kept asking me questions like where I am from, what is my business here. No one helped. The medics also were not treating me properly,” he said.
He also revealed that his friend was also attacked and said that his mobile phone and money were looted while he was being thrashed.
The incident occurred between November 26 – November 27 and Sayan then remained at his friend’s home for a few days to recover before returning to North 24 Parganas’ Belghoria.
While recovering from his injuries, another ordeal struck him and his host.
“People, including government workers, some local lawmakers and other people of the area then came to my friend’s home and harassed him and his parents for inviting him over,” he said.
He further added that his friend’s family was warned that their lives could be in danger for inviting over an Indian citizen.
Protests have roiled Bangladesh following the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, a Hindu monk and a member of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISCKON).
Chinmoy Krishna Das, the spokesman of a newly-formed Hindu group leading protests calling for the protection of the minority, was arrested on Monday afternoon. He remains in jail on sedition charges that his supporters claim are false.
(with inputs from Kamalika Sengupta)
- Location :
Belgharia, India
