On Saturday, the second day in a row, thousands of members of the minority Hindu community held large protest marches in the capital of bangladesh and the port city of Chattagram in the northeast. They demanded security in the face of widespread vandalism that witnessed attacks on temples, as well as on their homes and businesses.
The Hindu demonstrators' rally at Shahbagh in the city's center blocked traffic for more than three hours as they demanded, among other things, the creation of a minority protection law, special tribunals to expedite the trials of those who persecute minorities, and the allocation of 10% of parliamentary seats for minorities.
Joining them here to show support for the cause of minorities—who have been disproportionately affected by violence and destruction since Sheikh Hasina resigned as prime leader and fled to india on Monday—were thousands of Muslim demonstrators, including students. Since then, at least two Hindu figures connected to the Awami League party of former Bangladeshi prime minister Sheikh Hasina have been slain in the violence, which has damaged several Hindu temples, homes, and businesses.
Rahul Ananda, the leader of the well-known folk band Joler Gaan, had his home extensively vandalized and destroyed on Monday, leading the singer and his family to flee. media reports have highlighted an increasing number of incidents of violence against minorities.
The Dhaka Tribune newspaper reported that the bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Oikya Parishad, a well-known group that supports minority rights, sent Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus an open letter on august 5 that detailed 205 instances of persecution in 52 districts since the overthrow of the Sheikh Hasina government.
Strong chants like "Save Minorities," "We will not leave this country," "None of us are free until all of us are free," and "Who are you?" were displayed on the banners that the demonstrators were carrying. Me? Who am I? Bengali, Bengali! They appealed for the public, media, and authorities to stand with them and requested that the recently constituted temporary administration of Nobel laureate professor Yunus take immediate action to ensure the security of Hindu and other minority populations.
In response to claims that the police force has been nearly nonfunctional since august 5, social media posts revealed that students, including those from madrassas, have been manning Hindu temples and their homes nationwide over the last several days.
The Hindu demonstrators' rally at Shahbagh in the city's center blocked traffic for more than three hours as they demanded, among other things, the creation of a minority protection law, special tribunals to expedite the trials of those who persecute minorities, and the allocation of 10% of parliamentary seats for minorities.
Joining them here to show support for the cause of minorities—who have been disproportionately affected by violence and destruction since Sheikh Hasina resigned as prime leader and fled to india on Monday—were thousands of Muslim demonstrators, including students. Since then, at least two Hindu figures connected to the Awami League party of former Bangladeshi prime minister Sheikh Hasina have been slain in the violence, which has damaged several Hindu temples, homes, and businesses.
Rahul Ananda, the leader of the well-known folk band Joler Gaan, had his home extensively vandalized and destroyed on Monday, leading the singer and his family to flee. media reports have highlighted an increasing number of incidents of violence against minorities.
The Dhaka Tribune newspaper reported that the bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Oikya Parishad, a well-known group that supports minority rights, sent Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus an open letter on august 5 that detailed 205 instances of persecution in 52 districts since the overthrow of the Sheikh Hasina government.
Strong chants like "Save Minorities," "We will not leave this country," "None of us are free until all of us are free," and "Who are you?" were displayed on the banners that the demonstrators were carrying. Me? Who am I? Bengali, Bengali! They appealed for the public, media, and authorities to stand with them and requested that the recently constituted temporary administration of Nobel laureate professor Yunus take immediate action to ensure the security of Hindu and other minority populations.
In response to claims that the police force has been nearly nonfunctional since august 5, social media posts revealed that students, including those from madrassas, have been manning Hindu temples and their homes nationwide over the last several days.
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