The consistent increase in violence and persecution against the Hindus in Bangladesh have taken to the streets to voice their anger over the attacks on their homes, temples, and families. They have highlighted the targeting of their religious livelihoods by Islamist extremists. The situation has led to an increase in protests, as the Hindu minority seeks justice from the brutalities they continue to face in a country where they are increasingly marginalized.
The protests were temporarily suspended based on assurances from the chief adviser and other officials but it resumed on Friday afternoon (September 13), with members of the Hindu community in Bangladesh returning to the streets to demand an end to the repression of minorities. Members of Sanatani Odhikar Andolon, a coalition of multiple Hindu organizations and Bangladesh Hindu Jagran Manch blocked the Shahbagh intersection in Dhaka, accusing the government of failing to take effective action to address their concerns. The blockade, started around 4:30 pm stopped vehicular traffic, leading to significant congestion in the area.
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Members of the Sammilito Sanatani Samaj-Bangladesh organised a rally at Jamal Khan Intersection of Chattogram City to press the eight-point demands. Their eight demands include: conducting a speedy tribunal trial for the incidents of attacks on minorities following the government’s fall; compensating and rehabilitating victims of communal violence; creating a minority protection law; establishing a ministry for minority affairs; converting the Hindu Religion Welfare Trust into a Hindu Foundation; transforming the Buddhist and Christian Religion Welfare Trusts into foundations; recovering endowed properties and formulating a law for their protection; properly enforcing vested property laws; and instituting a five-day holiday for Durga Puja.
Speakers at the event stated that ‘Since independence no government in the 53 years has prosecuted the atrocities committed against the Hindu community in the country, creating a culture of crimes. They also noted that minorities become the targets of repression whenever incidents occur. However, since August 5, homes of Hindu people, their temples and business establishments were attacked in 49 districts of the country. According to the media reports, there were a total of 1,068 attacks on Hindus between August 5-20.
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