Women protest persecution of minorities in Bangladesh
Anshita Mehra
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, August 16
Thousands of women from across India gathered in Delhi on Friday to protest against the alleged persecution of minorities in Bangladesh, submitting an appeal to the President of India to intervene in the escalating crisis.
‘International pressure essential’
The condition of Hindus and women in Bangladesh is unacceptable. Burning their houses and vandalising their temples is painful. This has to stop. The situation is dire and international pressure is essential. — Women protesters
Organised under the banner of the RSS-affiliated Nari Shakti Forum, the protesters marched silently from the Mandi House to Jantar Mantar, demanding immediate action to protect Hindu and other minority communities facing violence in Bangladesh.
The appeal, delivered by the forum, outlined several key demands, including diplomatic engagement with the Bangladeshi government to ensure the safety of minority communities, provision of humanitarian aid to displaced individuals, and leadership at international forums like the United Nations to rally global support in this regard.
“We are calling on our government to engage with Bangladesh to protect the rights of Hindus and other minorities. The situation is dire, and international pressure is essential,” said advocate Monika Arora, speaking on behalf of the forum.
The protest follows the ouster of Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5, 2024, which has triggered widespread violence against minorities. Reports indicate that Hindu community, in particular, has been targeted with assaults, forced displacement and destruction of religious and cultural sites. “The Hindu population in Bangladesh has dwindled from 30% to just 8%, and it is now facing a relentless onslaught. This march is our way of demanding justice and protection for them,” Arora added.
Prominent figures, including BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) Vice-Chancellor Santishree Pandit, participated in the march. Pandit emphasised the universal nature of human rights, stating, “Human rights cannot be for selective groups alone. They are for everyone. Hindus, Buddhists, Christians and Dalits are all being attacked in Bangladesh, and it’s our responsibility to stand up for them.”
The protesters, many of whom wore black bands and covered their mouths to symbolise the silencing of minority voices, expressed their concerns about the deteriorating situation in Bangladesh. “The condition of Hindus and women in Bangladesh is unacceptable. We marched silently today, but it’s time to speak up,” said Veena Sharma, one of the participants.
Prerna Malhotra, another protester, highlighted the urgent need for action, saying, “Targeting Hindus, burning their houses and vandalising their temples is painful. This has to stop, and the current government must ensure the safety of all minorities in Bangladesh.”
Geetanjali, also part of the protest, underscored the systematic nature of the attacks, noting, “Religious sites are being desecrated and homes and businesses of minorities are being looted and set on fire. Our government must do more to protect these vulnerable communities.”
The Nari Shakti Forum’s appeal to the President also called for the establishment of a special committee to monitor the situation in Bangladesh and for India to issue a public statement condemning the violence, reaffirming the country’s commitment to human rights and justice.
