Bangladesh Hindu Priests issue stark warning: “Eviction threats could lead to national turmoil similar to Afghanistan or Syria”

Sanjoy Kumar Barua

Hindu priests in Bangladesh urge the government to take immediate action against the repression of minority communities, including compensation and legal protections to counter extremism.

Speaking at a mass rally in Chittagong’s Laldighi ground, Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, spokesperson for the Bangladesh Sanatan Jagoron Moncho and principal of Pundarik Dham, warned that continued persecution could transform Bangladesh into a sanctuary for communalism, akin to Afghanistan or Syria.

The Sanatan Jagoron Moncho has been protesting for over two months, demanding justice for attacks on Hindu temples, homes, and businesses following the fall of the Awami League government on August 5.

Rights groups report that between 1,000 and 2,000 attacks occurred up to September, with less than 600 being politically motivated. Additionally, police have recorded around 35 incidents in October related to Durga Puja celebrations.

Brahmachari emphasized the unity of the Hindu community in the face of adversity, stating, “The more we are tortured, the more united we become.”

A coordinating committee of 19 members has been established to pursue their eight-point demands, which include mass rallies in every division and a long march to Dhaka.

He criticized the government’s decision to exempt 93 Hindus from police service and questioned the meager allocation of Tk200 crore for non-Muslims from a total Tk15,000 crore budget for the Religious Affairs Ministry.

He demanded proportional representation for Hindus in Parliament, warning, “If necessary, we will boycott the vote. We don’t want farce in the name of democracy.”

Other speakers at the rally highlighted the historical neglect of Hindus since independence, lamenting the lack of justice for decades of killings, torture, land grabbing, and harassment. They called for an end to the culture of impunity that enables such violence.

Additional demands included the establishment of speedy trial tribunals for minority atrocities, the formation of a Minority Protection Act, a separate ministry for minority affairs, the recovery of seized properties, and the construction of places of worship in educational institutions.

They also called for the modernization of Sanskrit and Pali education boards and a five-day holiday for Durga Puja.

At the rally, attendees held banners and festoons, chanting, “Amar mati amar ma, e desh chhere kothao jabo na” (My land is my mother, I will not leave this country), emphasizing their commitment to their homeland and cultural identity.

The rally featured participation from various community leaders, including Tapnanda Giri Maharaj and Ravishwarananda Puri Maharaj, as well as journalists, lawyers, and educators, all advocating for the rights and protection of minority communities in Bangladesh.