In an unprecedented wave of protests, lakhs of Hindus took to the streets in Bangladesh on Saturday to decry the ongoing violence against their community following the recent collapse of the Sheikh Hasina-led government. The massive rallies, which spanned the capital city of Dhaka and Chittagong, the country’s second-largest city, reflect the growing concern over the safety of minority communities in the aftermath of the political turmoil.
Since the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5, over 205 incidents of violence have been reported against Hindus and other minority groups across 52 districts in Bangladesh. This surge in attacks has left hundreds injured and has driven thousands to flee their homes in search of safety.
The situation has escalated to a point where it has drawn international attention and prompted widespread protests, both within Bangladesh and abroad.
In Dhaka, the nation’s heart, Hindu demonstrators blocked traffic for over three hours at Shahbagh, one of the city’s central areas. They voiced their demands for justice, calling for the establishment of special tribunals to expedite the trials of those responsible for persecuting minorities. Additionally, the protesters demanded the allocation of 10 percent of parliamentary seats for minorities and the enactment of a minority protection law to safeguard their rights.
What made the rallies even more significant was the solidarity shown by thousands of Muslims, including students, who joined hands with the Hindu community to demand an end to the violence. This display of unity highlighted the widespread discontent with the ongoing persecution of minorities in Bangladesh.
Meanwhile, Chittagong witnessed its own massive gathering at the historic Cheragi Pahar Square, where over seven lakh people reportedly attended. The large turnout underscored the deep-seated anger and fear among the Hindu community, which has long been a target of systematic violence and discrimination in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh’s Interim Leader Condemns Attacks
Bangladesh’s interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, addressed the nation on Saturday, condemning the attacks on minority communities and labeling them as “heinous.” The Nobel laureate urged the students, who have been at the forefront of these rallies, to protect all Hindu, Christian, and Buddhist families from further harm.
“Are they not the people of this country?” Yunus questioned. “You have been able to save the country; can’t you save some families? You must say – no one can harm them. They are my brothers; we fought together, and we will stay together.” His call for national unity and the protection of minorities resonated with many, but it remains to be seen whether these words will translate into action.
The violence in Bangladesh has sparked outrage not only within the country but also among the Bangladeshi diaspora and Hindu communities worldwide. On Friday, a large protest was held outside the White House in Washington, D.C., where demonstrators called for international intervention to protect minorities in Bangladesh. The crowd, which included activists from various human rights organizations, members of the Bangladeshi diaspora, and Indian-American Hindu allies, demanded that the global community take notice of the atrocities being committed against Hindus.
Shubho Roy, a Bangladeshi Hindu living in the United States, expressed his deep concern over the situation, calling for a permanent solution to ensure the dignity and safety of minorities in Bangladesh. “We need a permanent solution so that Hindus and other minorities can live with dignity in Bangladesh,” Roy said. He emphasized the years of systematic violence, discrimination, and repression that Hindus in Bangladesh have endured, and urged the world to take action before it is too late.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also weighed in on the crisis, expressing his support for the safety and protection of Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh. In a message posted on X (formerly Twitter), Modi extended his best wishes to Professor Muhammad Yunus on his new responsibilities as the interim leader and called for an early return to normalcy.
“We hope for an early return to normalcy, ensuring the safety and protection of Hindus and all other minority communities. India remains committed to working with Bangladesh to fulfill the shared aspirations of both our peoples for peace, security, and development,” Modi stated.
Mahendra Sapa, representing Vishwa Hindu Parishad America, called on the State Department and the White House to learn from the 1971 genocide in Bangladesh and ensure that such atrocities are not repeated. “We strongly urge the State Department and White House to have lessons learned from the 1971 genocide and make sure that those mistakes are not repeated,” Sapa said.
As the violence continues to escalate, the situation for Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh remains dire. Thousands have already fled to neighboring India, and many more may follow if the violence is not curtailed.
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