Forgotten by All: How Sukhranjan Bali's Ordeal Exposed the Silence of Hindu Organizations in Bangladesh and India

Forgotten by All: How Sukhranjan Bali's Ordeal Exposed the Silence of Hindu Organizations in Bangladesh and India

Sukhranjan Bali Was Imprisoned in India for Testifying in Favor of Sayedee

Sukhranjan Bali, a Hindu carpenter from Pirojpur, Bangladesh, became a victim of a chilling tale of abduction, torture, and imprisonment due to his involvement in a high-profile legal case. Despite being a member of the minority Hindu community in Bangladesh, his ordeal failed to elicit significant protests or advocacy from Hindu organizations either in Bangladesh or India. This lack of support raises questions about the protection and representation of minorities in such complex political and judicial scenarios.

On November 5, 2012, Bali intended to testify in favor of Maulana Delwar Hossain Sayedee, a senior leader of Jamaat-e-Islami, at the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in Bangladesh. Sayedee faced accusations of crimes against humanity during the Liberation War of 1971, a highly contentious and politically charged case. Bali, however, went missing before his testimony could be recorded, setting off a chain of events that revealed the dark underbelly of state power and cross-border implications.

Bali later revealed that he was abducted by plainclothes security personnel at the court premises. "They dragged me from the car, blindfolded me, and took me to a secret location," he recounted. He was detained in a dark room, deprived of basic amenities, and subjected to psychological and physical torture. Efforts were made to force him into testifying against Sayedee, implicating him in the murder of Bali’s brother during the 1971 war. When he refused, citing his knowledge of the real perpetrators, he was beaten, electrocuted, and coerced relentlessly.

After days of torture, Bali was blindfolded again, driven to a border area, and handed over to India’s Border Security Force (BSF). "I begged them not to hand me over to the BSF, but my cries were ignored," he said. Once in BSF custody, Bali faced brutal physical abuse, leaving him injured and traumatized. He spent time in Basirhat Jail and was later transferred to Dum Dum Central Jail in Kolkata, where he remained imprisoned for five years.

During his incarceration, human rights organizations in India learned about his situation. Their reports helped inform his family and well-wishers about his plight, eventually leading to his release in 2018 following a Supreme Court order. Despite his return to Bangladesh, Bali has been unable to return to his village due to safety concerns and now lives in hiding.

Bali’s case, though deeply tied to the broader narrative of minority persecution, failed to galvanize Hindu organizations in either Bangladesh or India. While it is often expected that such organizations would step forward to support and amplify the voices of victims from their communities, Bali’s situation went largely unnoticed.

In Bangladesh, Hindu organizations tend to operate within a limited scope, often constrained by political sensitivities and fear of backlash. Advocacy for someone tied to a politically charged case like Sayedee’s, who was associated with Jamaat-e-Islami, a polarizing entity, could have further complicated their position.

Similarly, in India, where minority issues in neighboring countries often draw significant attention, Bali's ordeal did not become a focal point for Hindu groups. This lack of advocacy might be attributed to a combination of factors, including the complex political implications of supporting someone linked to Jamaat-e-Islami and the general lack of awareness about his case.

Despite his suffering, Bali remains resolute in his quest for justice. He demands accountability from the Bangladeshi authorities for his abduction and the abuse he endured. "How can a law enforcement agency abduct and hand over an innocent citizen to another country’s border force?" he asked. Bali also seeks compensation for the years he lost and the physical and emotional trauma he continues to endure.

Bali’s story underscores the vulnerabilities faced by minorities in politically charged situations, where their voices are often silenced, and their rights overlooked. It also highlights the need for stronger advocacy and representation to ensure that such cases do not fade into obscurity.

Sukhranjan Bali’s ordeal is a sobering reminder of the fragility of justice and human rights in politically volatile contexts. While his resilience in the face of immense hardship is commendable, the lack of support from minority organizations reflects a broader failure to address systemic challenges. His case calls for a renewed commitment to protecting the rights of minorities and ensuring that no individual is left to suffer in silence.