NEW DELHI: Hundreds participated in a protest march organized by the Civil Society of Delhi at the Bangladesh Embassy on Tuesday, opposing alleged atrocities and genocide against Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh.
The march coincided with World Human Rights Day and aimed to highlight human rights violations faced by minorities in Bangladesh. Participants called on national and international organizations to address the issue.
The march began at the Prime Minister Museum at Teen Murti Chowk and saw participation from over 200 social, religious, professional, and cultural organizations. The speakers at the march included Sadhvi Ritambhara, Keshav Murari from ISKCON, Ramakant Dwivedi from the India Central Asia Foundation, former Delhi Police commissioner SN Srivastava, former Indian high commissioner to Bangladesh Veena Sikri, Buddhist leader Rahul Bhante, Supreme Court advocate Priyadarshini, writer and activist Rudranil Ghosh, and former Kolkata high court judge and BJP MP Abhijit Ganguly.
Speakers urged the global community to take action against the persecution of Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh. Sadhvi Ritambhara questioned the silence of international organizations and said, “Hindu society will not tolerate the disrespect of its women.”
The Civil Society of Delhi submitted a memorandum to the High Commissioner of Bangladesh, stressing the historically cordial ties between India and Bangladesh, including India’s support during Bangladesh’s liberation struggle in 1971.
The memorandum expressed concerns over the deteriorating conditions for religious minorities in Bangladesh, particularly since August 5. It called for the protection of human rights and the right to peaceful coexistence for Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, and other minorities in Bangladesh.
- The protection of human rights in Bangladesh, in accordance with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, international human rights laws, and conventions. Human rights issues must be addressed with objectivity, without politicization. The genocide of Hindus and other minorities must cease immediately.
- Immediate cessation of all atrocities against Hindus and other religious minorities in Bangladesh is essential. Denying these incidents as mere ‘media propaganda’ only grants impunity to those committing the atrocities and further intensifies the suffering of vulnerable communities.
- The immediate release of ISKCON Sannyasi Pujya Shri Chinmay Krishna Das from unjust imprisonment and continuous torture.
- We urge the current regime of Bangladesh to take every possible measure to prevent the ongoing atrocities against Hindus and other religious minorities.
- We call upon the international community to stand with the victims of these atrocities and to demand that the Bangladesh government take immediate action to protect all religious minorities.
- We appeal to your office to take all necessary initiatives to stop the ongoing persecution and atrocities in Bangladesh, in the best interests of bilateral and regional peace, friendship, and security.
- In Bangladesh, Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, and other religions must be allowed to co-exist peacefully. Intolerance against religious minorities must stop immediately.
