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International Outcry Over Attacks On Bangladeshi Hindus; Protests Erupt In US & UK

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The recent attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh following the ousting of Sheikh Hasina have garnered global attention with widespread protests. Demonstrations took place over the weekend in the US and the UK, with significant rallies outside the UK Houses of Parliament and in several American cities.

Protests In The UK

In the UK, a large crowd assembled outside the Houses of Parliament in London, including members of the Bangladeshi diaspora and Indian American Hindu allies. Protesters voiced their concerns about the deteriorating situation in Bangladesh, holding up posters with messages like “Protect our temples in Bangladesh” and “Hindu lives matter.”

Demonstrators also called for constitutional changes in Bangladesh to ensure equal treatment for all communities.

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) was criticised for biased coverage of the new Bangladeshi government. Although it has been highlighting the positive aspects of the new administration, it came under fire for its one-sided narrative. This led to protests outside its headquarters at Broadcasting House in London.

Protesters chanted slogans calling for a “BBC boycott” and questioned why the BBC remained silent on the violence against Hindus in Bangladesh.

Protests In The US

On the other hand, in the US, over 300 Indian American and Bangladeshi-origin Hindus gathered in Houston for the “Save Hindus in Bangladesh” rally organised by the Global Voice for Bangladesh Minorities. This coalition, representing prominent Houston Hindu groups, called on the Biden Administration to act decisively to protect minority communities in Bangladesh and to end the violence.

The protesters, including activists from various human rights organisations, carried signs and chanted slogans demanding justice and an end to the violence. They highlighted the severe conditions faced by Hindus in Bangladesh, citing reports of torture, killings, and temple destruction. The rally featured statements from leaders such as Achlesh Amar and Deepti Mahajan, who emphasised the urgent need for international intervention and minority protection.

In addition to these rallies, protests were also held outside the White House, where participants urged the US government to take a firm stance against the violence in Bangladesh. Among other speakers, Shubho Roy and Priyadarshani Saha called for a permanent solution to ensure the safety and dignity of minorities in Bangladesh.

In response to the escalating violence, including attacks on Hindu temples and communities, US lawmakers have voiced strong condemnation. Indian American Congressmen Ro Khanna and Raja Krishnamoorthi have called for immediate action from the Bangladeshi interim government and emphasised the need for justice and protection for all minorities. They have urged the US government and international bodies to address the situation urgently.

The US State Department has expressed deep concern over the ongoing violence and the targeting of religious and political groups in Bangladesh. The situation remains dire, with increasing reports of violence and casualties since the recent upheaval in the country.

Protests At The UN

Activists also assembled outside the United Nations headquarters, calling for the protection of Hindus and other minority groups in Bangladesh. Since the fall of the Hasina government, there have been reports of arson, looting, and attacks targeting minorities, including Bengali Hindus, Bengali Christians, and Bangladesh’s janjatiya (adivasi) communities. These incidents have fueled protests both within Bangladesh and internationally.

The global community continues to demand action and justice for the victims of these attacks, highlighting the urgent need for international intervention and support for minority communities in Bangladesh.

Widespread Violence Against Hindus in Bangladesh

On 5 August 2024, the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council published a report detailing a series of attacks on Hindu temples, homes, and businesses across the country amid ongoing political unrest. According to the Voice of Bangladeshi Hindus on social media platform X, these assaults occurred within a five-hour window. However, the actual number of incidents might be higher than those listed.

Social Media Reveals Violence Against Hindus In Bangladesh

Beyond the documented attacks, numerous videos and images circulating on social media have shown assaults on Hindu homes, businesses, and temples in Bangladesh, framed as part of the broader political violence. The authenticity of some of these videos remains unverified.

Among several videos shared on X, including one showing a mob attacking the home of Hindus in Bamunia Palpara, Gabtali Upazila, Bogra District.

Another video depicts a Hindu girl in distress in the Mathbaria police station area, Pirojpur district, pleading for help in Bangla.

Additional footage shows the Shani Temple in Navgraha Bari, Chittagong, being set ablaze by rioters.

In Shibpur Upazila, Narsingdi District, a Hindu temple was attacked around 5 PM.

Yudhistir Govinda Das, an ISKCON India spokesperson, reported that an ISKCON centre in Meherpur (Khulna division) was burned, including the deities of Lord Jagannath, Baladev, and Subhadra Devi. Fortunately, three devotees residing there managed to escape.

A video from Visegrad 24 shows Islamists surrounding Hindu homes and threatening the occupants.

According to The Daily Star“, a Bangladeshi newspaper, attacks have occurred in 27 districts. It reports vandalism and looting of homes belonging to Pradip Chandra Roy and Muhin Roy in Lalmonirhat Sadar upazila. 12 Hindu houses were torched in Hatibandha upazila’s Purbo Sardubi village. Several Hindu homes were ransacked in Bandhavgarh’s Sadar upazila.

Other attacks targeted ten Hindu houses in Dinajpur, a temple in Railbazarhat, and three homes in Khansama upazila. In Khulna, Oikya Parishad leaders’ residences were attacked, while Aditri Adhikary’s house in Barishal’s Gouranadi was targeted. Similar incidents were reported in Bogura, Patuakhali, Sherpur, Narsingdi, Kishoreganj, Chattogram, Jashore, Satkhira, Habiganj, and Narail.

Amidst the severe political unrest in Bangladesh, Hindu and other minority communities are particularly vulnerable to these attacks, with Islamist mobs exploiting the situation. Meanwhile, some left-liberals and Islamist groups have either denied or justified these acts of violence.

(With inputs from News18)

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