The Prime Minister of Bangladesh has stated that Christians would like to “carve out their own state” on the border with Myanmar. The president of the Bishops’ Conference of Bangladesh, Monsignor Bejoy N. D’Cruze, issued a statement yesterday in which he stated that this was an absurd idea: “Let us safeguard the sovereignty of the country.”
Dhaka () – The Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, has launched an accusation against Christians who – according to her – together with international forces are hatching a plot to “carve out a Christian State like East Timor” between Bangladesh and Myanmar. These words were spoken by her last week in Gonobhavan during a meeting with the leaders of the 14 parties that are part of the government alliance.
The premier, who heads the Awami League, added that in January, before the elections, she was offered a safe re-election if she allowed a foreign nation to establish an air base in Bangladesh. Hasina did not reveal more details, but she was probably referring to the island of Saint Martin, in the extreme south of the country: she had previously accused the opposition, represented by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, of wanting to cede the atoll to the United States, which, however, always has denied the accusations.
Hasina then vowed to resist any attempt to destroy regional stability and said she was determined to fight such conspiracies. “The offer came from a white man,” the prime minister said, again without providing further information.
Yesterday, Monsignor Bejoy N. D’Cruze, archbishop of Dhaka and president of the Bishops’ Conference of Bangladesh, issued a press statement expressing his surprise and concern at the prime minister’s accusation.
“The renowned daughter of the father of the nation, Bangabandhu, Honorable Premier Sheikh Hasina, works tirelessly to safeguard the freedom and development of our nation. She has played a courageous and continuous role in protecting the sovereignty of Bangladesh. We, Christians of Bangladesh, gratefully recognize and support her efforts,” the statement read.
«As Christian leaders, the Bishops’ Conference of Bangladesh and the United Churches Forum are surprised and concerned by this news. In today’s globalized and secular world, the notion of a ‘Christian State’ is absurd,” the statement continued.
Archbishop Bejoy, who also heads the United Churches Forum in Bangladesh, added: “Such a conspiracy is neither acceptable nor admissible. We agree with the honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and support her efforts to safeguard the sovereignty of Bangladesh. We also pray for her continued efforts in this regard.
The archbishop also spoke of the possibility that some will take advantage of the prime minister’s statement to disrupt communal harmony and called on the authorities to ensure the safety of the Christian community at such times.
Christians in Bangladesh echoed Archbishop Bejoy’s sentiments. Sukumar Gomes, an NGO worker, stated: “Christians in Bangladesh live in peace and maintain brotherhood. “We oppose any foreign intervention in our country.”
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