Members of the Hindu community in London protested outside the Bangladesh High Commission against violence targeting Hindus in Bangladesh. Protests in India also followed, as the government expressed grave concern over the attacks on minorities.
Members of the Indian and Bangladeshi Hindu communities in London staged a protest outside the Bangladesh High Commission on Saturday against the killing of Hindus in Bangladesh. During the protest, demonstrators played 'Amar Shonar Bangla', the national anthem of Bangladesh. Protesters raised slogans demanding an end to violence against religious minorities in Bangladesh.
The protest in London followed a wave of demonstrations in India on Friday over reported atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh.
Demonstrations Erupt Across India
Amid the ongoing protests, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers held a torchlight rally in Siliguri to highlight the issue. BJP leader Anita Mahato, who participated in the rally, said that violence against Hindus would continue unless the community united. "We (BJP workers) held a torchlight rally against the way Sanatani Hindus are being tortured in Bangladesh in Siliguri. We want to send a message that unless we Hindus unite, such situations will continue. The Hindus in Bangladesh have been burnt alive without clothes... We have to fight the same way for religion, like the way we fight for food, shelter, and livelihood," she said.
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Protests Follow Lynching Incident
The remarks came after the reported lynching of two Hindu Bangladeshi nationals, which triggered a major political row in India. The incident led to protests in several states, including West Bengal and Assam, with demonstrators demanding accountability from the Bangladesh government.
In Kolkata, multiple organisations took to the streets on Friday to protest against the alleged atrocities faced by minorities in Bangladesh. Most of the protesters were pro-Hindu activists wearing saffron-coloured clothes. They demanded an immediate end to violence against minorities, especially Hindus.
India Expresses 'Grave Concern'
Meanwhile, India has raised serious concerns over repeated incidents of violence against religious minorities in Bangladesh, including Hindus, Christians and Buddhists. The government said it is closely monitoring the situation in the neighbouring country.
Addressing the media in New Delhi, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the Indian government was disturbed by the continued hostility faced by minority communities in Bangladesh. "India is closely monitoring developments and has expressed grave concern over the continued hostility of minorities, including Hindus, Christians, and Buddhists. We condemn the recent killing of a Hindu youth in Mymensingh and expect that the perpetrators of the crime will be brought to justice," Jaiswal said.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
