Hindus of the Bangladesh have recently come out to the streets what, perhaps, is the biggest protest rally in Bangladesh Hindus’ history in face of a number of attacks on their community. Such concerted mobilization is a sign of increasing concern with regard to the security of religious minorities and the capacity and willingness of the government to safeguard the latter from violent threats.
Attacks
The protests occurred after a series of attacks on the Hindu places of worship, residences, and shops. These attacks which have been most recently carried within the past few months, have been associated with increased conflict as per religious demography in the country. The worst of these cases was a violent attack by locals on a Hindu temple in the town of Chattogram where the temple and its icons were burnt and destroyed.
Dhaka
Most of the marchers some of whom wielded banners and placards against the bloodshed took to streets of major cities including Dhaka, Sylhet and Rajshahi. The protests were vehement, involved so many Hindu groups, and so many other people from so many other backgrounds, categories, and classes. The organizers of the protest have cried out for an independent investigation of the incident as well as the prosecution of the culprits.
Some of the major demands of the protestors are; protection of Hindu worship places, equal rights for Hindus and passage of suitable legislation to protect the Hindu community which now expects the government to take serious measures to prevent such acts of violence in future. The protestors have also been rude to the perceived complacency of the police and political authorities in seeking to rein in the worsening violence.
Krasnodar activists
The government has reacted to the menace by assuring to improve on the security and ensure that the attackers are brought to book expeditiously. But there is doubt among the protestors regarding the credibility of these assurances. They claim that Krasnodar activists were right in stating that the state has not done enough to protect the minorities and that the increase in the intensity of the attacks proves that there are systematic causes of such action.
This protest is not only the reaction of the people to recent events but it is the manifestation of people’s discontent in relation to current situation of religious tolerance in Bangladesh. It’s a testimony to the plight of the minorities in the country and the need for change that is required in the society and the polity.