Daijiworld Media Network - London
London, Dec 28: Members of the Indian and Bangladeshi Hindu communities staged a protest outside the Bangladesh High Commission in London on Saturday, condemning the killing of Hindus and demanding an end to violence against religious minorities in Bangladesh.
During the demonstration, protesters played ‘Amar Shonar Bangla’, the national anthem of Bangladesh, and raised slogans urging authorities to ensure the safety and rights of minority communities. The London protest came a day after a wave of demonstrations erupted across India over reported atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh.
Amid the growing outrage, Bharatiya Janata Party workers organised a torchlight rally in Siliguri to draw attention to the issue. BJP leader Anita Mahato, who participated in the rally, said violence against Hindus would continue unless the community stood united.
“We held a torchlight rally against the way Sanatani Hindus are being tortured in Bangladesh. We want to send a message that unless Hindus unite, such situations will continue. Hindus in Bangladesh have been burnt alive without clothes. We must fight for our religion just as we fight for food, shelter and livelihood,” she said.
The protests followed reports of the lynching of two Hindu Bangladeshi nationals, triggering a political row in India. Demonstrations were reported from several states, including West Bengal and Assam, with protesters demanding accountability from the Bangladesh government.
In Kolkata, multiple organisations took to the streets on Friday to protest against the alleged atrocities against minorities in Bangladesh. Most of the demonstrators were pro-Hindu activists wearing saffron-coloured attire, calling for an immediate halt to violence, particularly against Hindus.
Meanwhile, India has expressed serious concern over repeated incidents of violence against religious minorities in Bangladesh, including Hindus, Christians and Buddhists. The Ministry of External Affairs said it is closely monitoring the situation in the neighbouring country.
Addressing the media in New Delhi, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the 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 against minorities, including Hindus, Christians and Buddhists. We condemn the recent killing of a Hindu youth in Mymensingh and expect that the perpetrators will be brought to justice,” he said.