In Bangladesh, Dispute Over 10 Taka Gets Father-Son Duo Trapped In Blasphemy Tangle, Jailed
The blasphemy charge arose out of a petty financial dispute after a self-declared Imam of a local mosque refused to pay the barber duo for their services
On Sunday, a new row erupted in Bangladesh when 69-year-old Paresh Chandra Shil and 35-year-old Bishnu Chandra Shil—a father-son barber duo—were dragged from their salon in Lalmonirhat district, 325 kilometers from capital Dhaka, and thrashed publicly on allegations of showing disrespect to the Prophet.
But the Sils, both of whom are now behind bars, have a different tale to tell. According to them, at the heart of the accusation is a dispute over 10 taka (currency in Bangladesh). Diptirani Roy, Bishnu's wife, said: 'When my sister-in-law came, she insisted that we must go and find out the truth behind the incident. We went to jail and asked them what really happened. How did it spiral out of control? Both my husband and my father-in-law told me it is because of 10 taka. They asked the complainant for payment for their service but he refused to pay up. An argument ensued and while leaving their shop, the man threatened my father-in-law with dire consequences. My father-in-law and my husband are innocent."
News18 spoke to local sources in Bangladesh who backed Roy's claim.
Human Rights Congress for Bangladesh Minorities too confirmed Roy's allegation that the blasphemy charge is due to a petty financial dispute. The organisation has also confirmed the customer's name to be Md Abdul Ajiz, a self-declared Imam of a local mosque.
A viral video is evidence enough to suggest how even a 69-year-old wasn't spared by the mob. Bangladesh-based rights organisations like Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), Naripokkho, and Shujan (Citizens for Good Governance) have expressed deep concern over the incident and issued a statement warning of 'mob culture" in the country.
After Bangladesh's former prime minister Sheikh Hasina fled to India on August 5, 2024, there were reports of large-scale violence against minorities, resulting in even deaths. Hindus, who make up about 8 per cent of Bangladesh's population of 170 million, bore the maximum brunt of it and many would argue they continue to do so in the form of legal harassment like the Sils are facing.
The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council estimates that communal violence has affected at least 52 of the country's 64 districts since August 5.
The targeted attacks made even Prime Minister Narendra Modi appeal for 'safety and protection" of Hindus as well as other minorities in Bangladesh last year. The attacks also caught the attention of the office of the United Nations Secretary-General who called for the violence in the country to be 'tamped down" and condemned any 'racially based attacks" last year.
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