Bangladesh Hindu Association seeks safety during Bangladesh’s election

News desk
shottobani

Londonঃ On 7 December, the Bangladesh Hindu Association (BHA), a UK-based organisation of expat Bengali Hindus, handed in a memorandum to British PM Rishi Sunak requesting protection for the Hindu community during and after the forthcoming election in Bangladesh set for 7 January 2024.

The BHA delegation led by its Chair Proshanta Datta Purokayastha BEM and included Gen Secretary Sujit Chowdhury, Treasurer Biswajit Dey, Vice Chair Haradon Bhowmik, Vice Chair Bipul Mandal and Women’s Secretary Bappi Dam requested Rishi Sunak, UK’s Prime Minister to ensure protection for the minorities in Bangladesh from the Islamist fundamentalists attacks and intimidation during the general election of 2024.

The memorandum said it is depressing and intolerable for our family members and communities, as in Bangladesh, they are the victims of mass fundamentalist attacks, such as intimidation and harassment during religious festivals and elections year after year. They stated that in 2001, massive violence took place on minorities, especially Hindus, all over Bangladesh, where their homes and businesses were looted of belongings and houses were burnt. As the forthcoming general election approaches, BHA raised their concern about the welfare of their fellow family members and friends in Bangladesh.

The BHA wants the government of Bangladesh to take precautionary measures before the general election so that the minority community will be encouraged to participate freely in the forthcoming and future elections without fear of life.

Finally, the BHA has requested the Prime Minister of Great Britain to have a dialogue with the Honourable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to take the necessary action by reinforcing law and order to safeguard minority rights and livelihood in Bangladesh during the general election in January 2024.

Moreover, the BHA believed that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina could establish a secular, oppression-free democratic Bangladesh to protect the rights of minorities with her courageous, outstanding leadership.