DHAKA, Bangladesh — On Friday, a massive demonstration took place as tens of thousands of Hindu community members voiced their concerns over increasing violence and discrimination in the Muslim-majority nation of Bangladesh. The rallies were focused on urging the interim government to take protective measures against ongoing attacks and to retract sedition charges that have been levied against Hindu leaders.
Approximately 30,000 participants gathered at a significant junction in Chattogram, raising chants that emphasized their demands for rights and security. The area saw a heavy presence of police and military personnel to maintain order as protests were also reported in various parts of the country.
Since the ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in early August due to a student-led revolt, Hindu organizations have reported a surge in violence against their communities. Muhammad Yunus, who assumed leadership of the interim government, has claimed that the statistics regarding these attacks are inflated.
Hindus constitute around 8% of Bangladesh’s population, which stands at almost 170 million, while Muslims represent about 91%. The prominent Hindu organization, the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, has highlighted over 2,000 incidents of aggression targeting Hindus since August 4. They argue that the interim administration has not taken sufficient action to safeguard minority groups, as extremist Islamist factions seem to gain prominence following Hasina’s removal.
Hindu activists have been staging protests in Dhaka and other regions since August, demanding the establishment of a law dedicated to minority protection, the creation of a ministry focused on minority affairs, and a special tribunal to address acts of persecution against them. Additionally, they are advocating for a five-day holiday for their most significant festival, Durga Puja.
The rally in Chattogram was rapidly organized following the filing of sedition charges on Wednesday against 19 Hindu leaders, including well-known priest Chandan Kumar Dhar. This legal action was a response to a rally that occurred on October 25. Police detained two of the leaders, intensifying the anger within the Hindu community.
The charges originated from an incident during the rally involving a saffron flag being placed above the national flag on a pillar, which was perceived as an affront to the nation’s symbol. Leaders from the Hindu community assert that these legal actions are politically motivated and have demanded their dismissal within the next 72 hours. Another protest is anticipated in Dhaka on Saturday.
In a related context, supporters of Hasina’s Awami League party and its ally, the Jatiya Party, have reported facing similar targeting since the change in government. The headquarters of the Jatiya Party was reportedly vandalized and set ablaze late Thursday evening.
On Friday, Jatiya Chairman G.M. Quader declared that his supporters would persist with protests to uphold their rights, even amidst potential risks. They plan to hold another rally in Dhaka on Saturday to address concerns about rising commodity prices and what they deem to be unfounded charges against their leaders and activists.