Thousands protest in Dhaka for safety of Hindus amid anti-minority violence

Thousands of Hindus from across Bangladesh protested at the historic Central Shahid Minar in Dhaka, urging the Muhammad Yunus-led government to accept their eight-point demands for ensuring the safety of minority communities.

In Short

• Hindus in Bangladesh allege extremists are opposing Durga Puja celebration
• Attacks on Hindu community continue despite promises of safety
• Activists call for minority laws, compensation, temple restoration

Bangladesh witnessed a massive rally on Friday by the Hindu community, who took to the streets in Dhaka to protest against the atrocities and persecution they face from extremist elements, demanding protection and justice.

Thousands of Hindus from across Bangladesh gathered at the historic Central Shahid Minar in Dhaka under the banner of the Combined Minority Alliance, which urged the Muhammad Yunus-led government to accept their eight-point demand to ensure the safety and well-being of minority communities.

The Hindu community has been facing attacks since August 5, when Sheikh Hasina resigned as Prime Minister following massive violent protests. Their residents, temples, and endowments were targeted throughout the country, with reports of rape, arson, looting, forced land grabs, threats to life, and coercion to flee the country.

Although the interim government that took charge on August 7 under Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus promised safety for the Hindu minorities, attacks have allegedly continued even after two months. Friday's protest sought to bring an end to the violence.

"The quota movement (that led to Sheikh Hasina’s resignation) was a collective struggle involving Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, Christians, and individuals from all backgrounds. Following the success of this movement, questions are rising regarding the ongoing violence against Hindu communities as their homes are being targeted, forcing them to leave their homeland,” Shuka Ray, a local Hindu activist, said.

She further commented, "The chief advisor of the current government has not addressed these issues, proceeding with plans that seemingly disregard the interests of the country's three crore Hindus".

Sujoy Sarkar, another activist, alleged that "the extremists are opposing our Durga Puja celebration, and in many places, they are destroying our idols and temples".

The protesters, including Hindu sages, urged the government to address their eight-point demands. They are:

1. Compensation for the families of missing, deceased, injured, or affected religious minorities.
2. Establishment of a Ministry for Minority Development.
3. Formulation of a Minority Protection Law and the establishment of a special tribunal for justice.
4. Declaration of three days of public holidays for Durga Puja.
5. Recovery of confiscated religious properties, enacting a preservation law, and restoration of temples in respective areas.
6. Establishment of model temples in all 64 districts and a Vedic university, transforming the Hindu Religious Welfare Trust into a foundation.
7. Modernisation of the Sanskrit and Pali Education Board.
8. Declaration of a public holiday for the Rath Yatra.

Meanwhile, amid the protest, the authorities shut down internet access in the Shahid Minar area, where the gathering took place.