Dozens of Bangladeshi New Yorkers congregated at a church in Norwood on a recent Sunday evening to demonstrate their support for a controversial war crimes tribunal that is prosecuting alleged crimes against humanity stemming from Bangladesh’s war for independence more than 40 years ago.

Though BCA president Ansar H. Chowdhury said the event would include “celebrating [independence] together,” the night would largely be one of “remembrance.” Hundreds of thousands died in the war and, recently, dozens have been killed in clashes between Bangladesh security forces and an Islamic Party protesting against the tribunal.

The event, held at the Holy Nativity Episcopal Church on Bainbridge Avenue, was put together by the Bengali Cultural Association of the USA, an organization with a goal to make secularism, democracy, and human rights a priority since its inception in 1971 when Bangladesh first achieved its independence.

New York City has the highest Bangladeshi population in the country, with over 57,000 living in the five boroughs today. The Bangladeshi population in the Bronx has soared in recent years and Muslim leaders are in the middle of building a new Islamic cultural center in the Norwood area to accommodate their growing numbers.

According to the latest American Community Survey conducted by the Census Bureau, Parkchester has the most concentrated Bangladeshi population in the Bronx, with an estimated 2,642 people. The only neighborhoods more populated with Bengalis are Kensington in Brooklyn (2,671) and Jamaica Hills, Queens (4,104).

Inside the church on April 7, the walls of the large social room were decorated with posters of Sheikh Mujbur Rahman, a man the Bangladeshi people consider “The Father of the Nation” for his work in helping them achieve independence from West Pakistan.

The event included appearances and speeches from several Bangladeshi political leaders who are active in the United States, each of them wearing red and green scarves, the colors on the nation’s flag.

Those invited to speak at the event Sunday evening spoke in Bengali without a translator present. This was done to reflect the BCA’s effort to “preserve culture, language, and identity” outside of the country of Bangladesh. The BCA representatives interviewed in English, however, all spoke of the similar goals.

BCA secretary M.A. Salam discussed the group’s desire to “mobilize the people of the U.S, who believe in democracy and who believe in human rights” to cooperate with the Bangladeshi people living in the United States. Nearly all members of the BCA, like Rahman himself, said their goal is to have the Bangladeshi people become a more secular and democratic people.

Sheikh Al Mamum, a local math teacher and supporter of the BCA, detailed the complex and often violent history of the Bangladeshi independence saga, which has continued to evolve with the latest bloodshed.

On March 7, 1971, Rahman motivated the people of East Pakistan to fight for their independence and separate from West Pakistan, first through protests and civil disobedience. But tensions escalated when West Pakistan security forces attacked East Pakistan civilians and on March 25, East Pakistan declared its independence. The next day, war broke out. What ensued is often viewed as genocide committed by West Pakistani forces.

Mamum estimates that three million innocent people were killed during the ordeal, and roughly 200,000 women were raped by attackers from West Pakistan. War raged for nine months until the Indian army intervened and helped negotiate a ceasefire. (Editor’s Note: Casualty estimates vary widely, from 200,000 to three million deaths, but, by all accounts, the war was considered one of the 20th century’s most violent.)

East Pakistan ultimately achieved its independence that year and became known as the sovereign nation of Bangladesh.

While these events occurred 42 years ago, those accused of committing war crimes during the ordeal are only now facing trial. Indictments have been issued since 2010, and some 10 to 15 men are currently awaiting sentencing for the atrocities committed at the time.

But the tribunal has not been met with universal support.

Jamaat Ul-Islam, an Islamic political party, has taken action to spread its belief that the treatment of the men on trial is unjust, especially after one of its leaders was sentenced to death. Over the past several months, Jamaat supporters have clashed with security forces, leaving dozens dead and many more injured.

Those present at Holy Nativity Sunday night made it clear they simply want to end this ugly portion of the Bangladeshi history, and move on.

“People should be able to enjoy their freedom, and create a society where everyone can enjoy the country” Mamum said.

Editor’s note: This article originally appeared in the April 18-May 1 print edition of the Norwood News.

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Welcome to the Norwood News, a bi-weekly community newspaper that primarily serves the northwest Bronx communities of Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham and University Heights. Through our Breaking Bronx blog, we focus on news and information for those neighborhoods, but aim to cover as much Bronx-related news as possible. Founded in 1988 by Mosholu Preservation Corporation, a not-for-profit affiliate of Montefiore Medical Center, the Norwood News began as a monthly and grew to a bi-weekly in 1994. In September 2003 the paper expanded to cover University Heights and now covers all the neighborhoods of Community District 7. The Norwood News exists to foster communication among citizens and organizations and to be a tool for neighborhood development efforts. The Norwood News runs the Bronx Youth Journalism Heard, a journalism training program for Bronx high school students. As you navigate this website, please let us know if you discover any glitches or if you have any suggestions. We’d love to hear from you. You can send e-mails to norwoodnews@norwoodnews.org or call us anytime (718) 324-4998.