Raksha manch protests against atrocities on Hindus in Bangladesh

Hindu groups protest in Dharamsala

• Hindu organisations, including the Vivekanand Vichar Manch, Vishv Hindu Parishad, Bajrang Dal and the RSS, staged a protest at Kachehari Chowk in Dharamsala on Tuesday, condemning violence against Hindus in Bangladesh
• The protest began with a procession from the War Memorial to the main square near the Deputy Commissioner's office, where a memorandum was submitted to the ADM
• Carrying saffron flags and placards, the activists demanded dignity and security for Hindus in Bangladesh. Advocate Vishav Chakshu urged Bangladesh to safeguard its Hindu minority, warning against testing India's patience

The Sanatan Hindu Raksha Manch, a right-wing organisation representing the Hindu community, organised a protest march in Chamba town on Tuesday, decrying the alleged atrocities faced by Hindus in Bangladesh. The protest culminated in the submission of a memorandum to the President of India, delivered through the Deputy Commissioner, outlining their demands for immediate action.

The memorandum highlighted the increasing violence against Hindus in Bangladesh following the formation of an interim government under the leadership of Muhammad Yunus. Reports of arson, looting, vandalism of temples, and desecration of Hindu deities have sparked outrage within the Hindu community in India.

The organisation attributed these atrocities to extremist ideologies prevalent in Bangladesh and Pakistan, noting that Hindu followers, along with members of Sikh, Buddhist and Jain communities, have been targeted systematically over the past four months since a political upheaval in Bangladesh.

The protesters claimed that the Hindu community in Bangladesh is being subjected to widespread oppression, including violence, abduction, sexual assaults and unlawful detentions. They alleged that the government and administrative machinery in Bangladesh have failed to ensure the safety of its minority populations, leaving them vulnerable and unsupported.

During the rally, several religious and social organisations joined hands to voice their solidarity with the Hindu community in Bangladesh. The protestors called for the release of Hindu priests and spiritual leaders, including ISKCON monk Chinmoy Krishna Das, who they claim have been unjustly detained.

In their memorandum, the Sanatan Hindu Raksha Manch urged the Indian government to take strict measures against the ongoing persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh. They emphasised the need for international cooperation to protect minority rights in Bangladesh, in line with the United Nations Human Rights Charter and other global conventions.

The organisation also appealed to all communities within Bangladesh to unite in support of religious tolerance and the protection of minority rights. They called for an end to the politicisation of human rights issues and urged the Bangladeshi government to promote harmony and inclusivity among its diverse population.