DHAKA: Hundreds of Bangladeshi Hindus protested in Dhaka on Friday against violence targeted at the community since Sheikh Hasina quit as prime minister and fled the country on Aug 5.
Asserting that the country “belongs to all”, the protesters, who had gathered from various parts of the country, demanded measures for the safety and security of the community.“This country does not belong to anyone’s father. We have given blood. If necessary, we will give blood again. We won’t leave Bangladesh,” they chanted. They also expressed their displeasure with “civil society” members for remaining mute spectators while Hindus faced violence. Kanu Kumar, who participated in the rally, said the community wanted security of their homes and religious establishments.
The protesters demanded a ministry for minority communities and a minority protection commission, apart from formulating and implementing strict laws to prevent attacks against minorities.
They also sought reservation of 10% of seats in Parliament for minorities.
The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Oikya Parishad on Friday reported 205 incidents of persecution of members of minority communities across 52 of the country’s 64 districts since Sheikh Hasina’s ouster. The organisation, in an open letter to interim leader Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, said “there is deep apprehension, anxiety and uncertainty among minorities across the country”.
Asserting that the country “belongs to all”, the protesters, who had gathered from various parts of the country, demanded measures for the safety and security of the community.“This country does not belong to anyone’s father. We have given blood. If necessary, we will give blood again. We won’t leave Bangladesh,” they chanted. They also expressed their displeasure with “civil society” members for remaining mute spectators while Hindus faced violence. Kanu Kumar, who participated in the rally, said the community wanted security of their homes and religious establishments.
The protesters demanded a ministry for minority communities and a minority protection commission, apart from formulating and implementing strict laws to prevent attacks against minorities.
They also sought reservation of 10% of seats in Parliament for minorities.
The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Oikya Parishad on Friday reported 205 incidents of persecution of members of minority communities across 52 of the country’s 64 districts since Sheikh Hasina’s ouster. The organisation, in an open letter to interim leader Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, said “there is deep apprehension, anxiety and uncertainty among minorities across the country”.