Several hundreds of people from the minority communities in Bangladesh took to the streets in the capital city of Dhaka on Friday to protest against the attacks that had been occurring since August 5. The protests were in response to the violence that had escalated following the fall of the government led by Sheikh Hasina. According to a report by New Age, a prominent English language newspaper in Dhaka, the protesters gathered at the Shahbagh intersection, chanting slogans and holding placards that demanded justice and protection for minority communities.
The protesters, organized by the Bangladesh Sachetan Sanatani Nagarik, were outraged by the murders, attacks, vandalism, and looting of temples, houses, and establishments belonging to the Hindu community. They also expressed their concerns over the rape of Hindu women that had taken place after Hasina’s resignation and departure from the country. The protesters called for fair investigations into all the incidents and demanded that the perpetrators be brought to justice.
In addition to seeking justice for the victims, the protesters had a list of demands that they wanted to be addressed. These demands included enacting and enforcing strict laws to prevent attacks on minorities, establishing a ministry for minorities, creating a minority safeguards commission, and reserving 10 percent of parliamentary seats for minority representatives. The protesters were adamant about the need for concrete measures to protect the rights and safety of minority communities in Bangladesh.
Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council and Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad also joined the chorus of voices speaking out against the violence targeting minority communities. In a press conference held at the Dhaka Reporters Unity, the leaders of these organizations called for an immediate end to the violence and attacks on all minority groups in the country.
A leader of the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council highlighted the widespread nature of the attacks, stating that thousands of Hindu families had been targeted in at least 52 districts across the country. He mentioned that Hindu temples had been set on fire, and members of the Hindu community had been murdered in various areas. The leader emphasized the urgent need to stop the violence and ensure the safety and security of minority communities in Bangladesh.
The speakers at the press conference urged for a thorough investigation of every incident and demanded that all those involved in the violence be brought to trial. They emphasized the importance of holding the perpetrators accountable for their actions and ensuring that justice is served for the victims of the attacks.
Overall, the protests and press conference highlighted the deep concerns and frustrations of minority communities in Bangladesh over the escalating violence and attacks targeting them. The calls for justice, protection, and concrete measures to safeguard the rights of minority groups underscored the urgent need for action to address the ongoing challenges faced by these communities.