Attacks on minority’s religious gatherings and temples in Bangladesh: Political Party, Civil Societies, VHP to hit the street in Barak Valley tomorrow

Condemning the series of heinous attacks and arsons on the Minority Hindu’s religious gatherings and shrines in Bangladesh, Political Parties, Civil Society groups, and right-wing outfit Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has called for protest rallies tomorrow at different places in Barak Valley. Political leaders of the valley have also denounced what is happening with the Hindu minorities in Bangladesh.

North Karimganj MLA Kamalakhya Dey Purakayastha wrote to both the Prime ministers of India Narendra Modi and Bangladesh’s Sheikh Hassina seeking immediate measures regarding the ongoing communal violence in Bangladesh.

In his letter to the Indian PM Narendra Modi, Kamalakhya sought for PM’s immediate intervention for the safety of minorities in Bangladesh, he also shared his apprehensions over the fact that Karimganj shares a long boundary with Bangladesh; and what is happening on another side of the border may contemplate into some untoward incidents here also. While Kamalakhya sought strict measures against the perpetrators of the violence from Bangladesh’s PM Sheikh Hassina.

Silchar MP Dr. Rajdeep Roy also condemned the targeted communal violence against the Bengali Hindus in Bangladesh. Dr. Ray says, “It’s high time that Government of India takes up the issue of persecution of minorities and rampant vandalism of Hindu temples and puja pandals in Bangladesh, it has become an annual phenomenon.”

Vice president of International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISCKON) Kolkata chapter, Radharaman Das wrote to the Secretary-General of United Nations, Mr. Antonio Gutteres, describing the scenes of violence and requesting for issuing a note of condemnation against the violence against Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh and also appealed for sending a delegate to Bangladesh to get the stake of situation. He wrote, “They (minority Hindus) are even more shattered by the silence of the international community” and alleged, “The world ditched the minorities of Bangladesh.” He compared the recent violence with the reminiscent of the Noakhali violence of 1946.

On 15th October, Das wrote in the letter, a riotous mob trespassed ISKCON temple in Noakhali and rampaged for 3 hours. One ISCKON follower was killed and many were missing with the rest critically injured and fighting for their lives. The dead body of Partha Das (25) was recovered from the temple pond.

Troubles broke out from the town of Comilla on Navami morning, when the news of an alleged incident of discretion of Holy Quran at a Puja Mandap at Nanuar Dighi circulated in social media ecosystem; riotous mob gathered vandalized the concerned puja pandal.

Following the incident of vandalism of puja pandal in Comilla, reports of vandalism, arson in puja pandal, Hindu temples started to pour in from Chandpur’s Hajiganj, Chattogram’s Banshkhali, and Cox’s Bazar’s Pekua, after a rumor spread in social media.

Soon the protestors clashed with police and law enforcement personals in different places in Bangladesh. Bangladesh Police have booked several people and filed cases against many regarding the recent violence. Heavy security personals have been deployed to maintain the law and order from further deteriorating.

The paramilitary Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has expanded the strict vigil from 22 to 34 out of 64 administrative districts. The elite anti-crime Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) informed arresting some of the key perpetrators of the series of violence that is taking place since 14th October.

Bangladesh Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina issued a statement and promised severe action in response. “The incidents in Comilla are being thoroughly investigated,” said Hasina. “Nobody will be spared. It doesn’t matter which religion they belong to. They will be hunted down and punished.”

Spokesperson (Arindam Bagchi) of the Ministry of External Affairs of India, also take cognizance of the ongoing violence against religious minorities in Bangladesh, and said “The Government of Bangladesh ‘promptly’ dealt with the miscreants who tried to disturb Durga puja celebrations in Comilla district,”

In Silchar, several Civil Society Groups, quasi-political outfits, and CPI-M has called for a protest tomorrow. Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Memorial Development Forum has called for a peaceful gathering at 3 pm near the Khudiram Statue tomorrow; they appealed to all conscious citizens for joining them in the protest.

Vishwa Hindu Parishad has also called on their volunteers of affiliate outfits like Durga Vahini, Mahila Matrishakti, and Bajrang Dal to gather around the Field of Subhash Nagar. Their protest rally would start at 10 and their rally will pass through the Chengkuri Road, National Highway, Rangirkhari, Premtola, Shillong Patty and will stop at the premises of the District Commissioner’s office, they will hand over a memorandum to the DC.

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) Cachar District committee has also called for a protest gathering tomorrow at 4 pm near the Khudiram Statue venue.