Solidarity in Kolkata: Protesters Demand End to Hindu Persecution in Bangladesh.
Kolkata Witnesses Massive Protest March Organised By Giri Gobardhandhari Charitable Trust Against Violence on Bangladesh’s Hindus.
Kolkata | Nov 12, 2024: Hundreds of Hindus took to the streets of Kolkata on Tuesday to protest the escalating attacks on Hindu minorities in Bangladesh, which has been under an interim government since the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The protest march was attended by prominent BJP leaders, including Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, who stood in solidarity with the Hindu community.
The situation in Bangladesh has been dire, with extremists targeting Hindus, who make up about 8% of the country’s population. According to the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, reported by AP, there have been over 2,000 attacks on Hindus since August 4. These attacks have resulted in the destruction of homes, businesses, and places of worship, leaving many Hindus feeling vulnerable and insecure.
Tensions in Chittagong, Bangladesh, escalated on November 5, following a provocative social media post targeting ISKCON by a Jamat-e-Islami member. The post sparked clashes in the Hazari Gali area, with security forces reportedly targeting Hindus.
The incident began when Osman Ali, a Muslim businessman, shared a Facebook post labeling ISKCON a “terrorist organization,” angering the local Hindu community. Protesters demanded an apology and gathered outside Mia Shopping Center, leading to clashes with the joint forces of police and army.
The violence resulted in injuries to 12 security personnel and the detention of 80 people . Hindu-owned shops were vandalized, and CCTV cameras were damaged or disabled. The Hindu community has reported feeling targeted and persecuted, with allegations of excessive force used by the joint forces ¹.
In response to the situation, Giri Gobardhandhari Charitable Trust, a familiar organisation connected to ISKCON Kolkata Chapter, planned a protest march from Rani Rashmoni Road in Esplanade to the office of the Deputy High Commissioner of Bangladesh near Park Circus, with 3,000 participants. This move aims to raise awareness and condemn the violence against Hindus in Bangladesh.
The Calcutta High Court has granted permission for a protest march against the alleged atrocities faced by Hindus in Bangladesh, overturning the initial denial by the Calcutta Police. The march, scheduled to proceed up to the Bangladesh Deputy High Commissioner’s office, comes with specific conditions restricting the participation limit within 1000 persons and time limit between 12:15 pm and 4:15 pm avoiding provocative slogans to maintain the peace’.
It was also granted by the High Court that a five-member delegation to meet the Bangladesh High Commissioner or an authorized officer to share concerns about the hardships faced by Hindus in Bangladesh. The court had also directed the state to ensure adequate police force, including reserve forces, to escort the procession and maintain order.
The well organised protest march in Kolkata was quite the sight, with hundreds of sadhu-sants clad in saffron attire and carrying flags bearing “Jai Shree Ram” and “Om” joining in. Women participants added to the fervor, walking with traditional musical instruments used during kirtan.
Watch Procession Video:
Today I joined a Protest Rally organized by Giri Gobardhandhari Charitable Trust from Rani Rashmoni Avenue to the Deputy High Commission of Bangladesh, Kolkata, to raise our voice against the continuous atrocities on Bangladeshi Hindus and the desecration of the Idols of Hindu… pic.twitter.com/KLRQr29ZYA
— Suvendu Adhikari (@SuvenduWB) November 12, 2024
Before the march, Suvendu Adhikari, West Bengal’s opposition leader, made a bold statement – if attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh persist, he’ll organize protests at the Indo-Bangla Petrapole border. Adhikari also expressed concerns about Hindu traditions and culture facing threats within West Bengal itself in the same line of Bangladesh.
This march was a response to the growing tensions in Bangladesh, where recent violence has targeted Hindus. The situation escalated after Sheikh Hasina’s resignation as prime minister, leading to a power vacuum and uncertainty about the country’s future.
“What is happening in Bangladesh is also taking place here. Durga Pujas are getting attacked here [in West Bengal]. The Kolkata mayor says there is a mini-Pakistan in Garden Reach,” he said. “Today’s march is to warn the West Bengal government and the Yunus government as well.”
The BJP MLA from Nandigram added, “A fundamentalist leader in Bangladesh is asking people to not visit Hindu hairdressers and sweet shops. If they don’t stop, (they must remember) Newtown’s third law that every action has equal and opposite reaction.”
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__Inputs from Agencies.
