Amid the ongoing tension between India and Bangladesh over the atrocities that are being committed on the Hindus and other minorities in the neighbouring country, many groups came together and staged a protest at Delhi’s Teen Murti Road.
The protesters included Civil Society of Delhi and ISKCON have expressed their concerns over the situation of minorities in Bangladesh and highlighted the killing of people and destruction of Hindu-centric cultural buildings.
These protesters, while raising slogans against Bangladesh have appealed to the central government and United Nations to intervene and restore peace in the country as well as ensure safety of minorities.
Speaking to Tehelka.com Swami Kanchan Giri of Parmartham Hanuman Mandir Trust said, “I condemn the atrocities on the hindu minorities in Bangladesh and request the Indian government to ensure the safety of our brothers and sisters whether through diplomatic way or the other.”
“There are people in our Parliament who talk about humanity when it comes to Gaza and Palestine but they are mum on this issue. The UN, Indian Government or Bangladesh, all of them should work towards humanity, the religion comes later,” Swami Giri added.
One of the protesters appealed for quick action to ensure safety of people suffering in Bangladesh and said that we will fight against the atrocities on Hindus in Bangladesh.
“We are here to register our protest against the inhuman behaviour and atrocities on our hindu brothers and sisters in Bangladesh. We request the central government to take action against this as soon as possible. We are with Hindus in that country and we will fight for them,” said Kuljeet Kaur, a protester.
Meanwhile the protesters showed their resentment by raising slogans such as “Bangladesh Hosh mein aao, hosh mein aao.” They also held placards saying “can’t see what’s happening in Bangladesh” and “Amnesty International has no respect for hindu human rights.”
Veena Sikri, former high commissioner of India to Bangladesh who was present at the protest to register the support said that this was the first time after 1971 that a very sustained and cruel attack had happened.
“The situation is very serious for the Hindus, Buddhist and Christians and this is the first time after 1971 there has been a sustained and cruel attack on the minority community. The Islamic organizations who are in-charge are not listening and pretending like this is not happening. They are insulting their own citizens. They must recognize the rights of their own citizens then only things can go ahead but Islamic regime is just not able to do that,” Sikri told Tehelka.com.
Notably, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visited Bangladesh and met his counterpart Touhid Hussain to take stock of the situation.
The current tension between New Delhi and Dhaka has emerged in the backdrop of several reports of attacks on minority communities. These incidents have been happening under the watch of the provisional government led by Muhammad Yunus.
