Hindus take to Bangladesh streets to stop attacks and demand justice

DHAKA: Thousands of Hindus took to the streets Friday in Dhaka and Bangladesh commercial capital Chattogram to demand effective measures to stop attacks on them since former PM Sheikh Hasina's ouster on Aug 5. Braving rain, the demonstrators carried placards with eight-point demands, including punishment to the attackers through a fast-track tribunal. The protests came two days after chief adviser Muhammad Yunus told the nation in a televised speech that no one should do anything to hurt religious harmony.

In Chattogram, Hindus demanded a separate ministry to deal with minority affairs, reserved seats for minorities, and asked the coordinators of the students' protests to sit with them, giving them 15 days to act. The protests had culminated in the Hasina-led govt's fall and her flight to India.

The Hindu demonstrators said they would not return to their homes until their demands were met, including compensation and rehabilitation of those affected. Referring to targeted killings, looting and destruction of their properties, they also demanded a separate minority protection act. They asserted they were not acting as anyone's "agent", a label they alleged was often foisted on minorities whenever they spoke up for their rights.

In Chattogram, protesters, including women, gathered in Jamal Khan area and demonstrated from 3pm. Describing themselves as "Bangali (Bangladesh natives)", they declared they will not leave this land.

Some demonstrators expressed displeasure over the media role as their voices are not heard via mainstream media outlets. One of them urged the authorities to take note reports of daily Prothom Alo about the attacks on minorities.

In Dhaka, protesters besieged the landmark Shahbag intersection with similar demands around 4.30pm, halting traffic. Watched by security forces, the programme was held under the banner of Sanatani Odhikar Andolan, which consists of many Hindu organisations.

Meanwhile, Paris-based human rights organisation Justice Makers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) said it was "deeply alarmed" by the recent wave of attacks targeting against minorities. The destruction of homes, businesses and places of worship represents a grave violation of human rights, the organisation said on Friday.


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