PROTEST IN FRONT OF BRITISH PARLIAMENT TO PROTECT HINDUS AND OTHER MINORITIES IN BANGLADESH

Ansar Ahmed Ullah
Contributing Editor, Shottobani

London 10th August: More than a thousand British Hindus, alongside individuals from various religious communities and walks of life, gathered in front of the UK Parliament to protest the ongoing atrocities against Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh. Since the ousting of Sheikh Hasina, the former Prime Minister, on 5 August, there has been a surge in violent attacks against Hindu men, women, and children, targeted solely because of their faith.

Despite severe internet restrictions in Bangladesh, disturbing videos have surfaced on social media, exposing barbaric acts against the Hindu community. These videos depict lynchings, looting, burnings, and hangings, as well as women pleading for their lives as mobs invade their homes. Additionally, the footage shows religious sites being destroyed, homes ransacked, and innocent women and children threatened and attacked.

This situation is extremely sensitive and inhumane, representing a gross violation of human rights. Fundamentalists are targeting minorities across Bangladesh, with reports of beatings, rapes, arson of temples, and the destruction of property. The situation has escalated to the point where Hindus and other minorities live in constant fear, feeling helpless and abandoned. These attacks are part of a consistent pattern of gross human rights violations perpetrated by fundamentalist forces. Many protesters have family members and relatives in Bangladesh who are receiving life-threatening messages. This is nothing short of a human catastrophe, with victims having no apparent support or protection.

The protesters carried placards and banners highlighting the plight of those minorities and demanding urgent international attention. They voiced slogans like “Save the Hindus in Bangladesh”, “Hindu Life Matters”, “Justice for Hindus in Bangladesh”, “Justice delayed, Justice denied”, we demand Justice”, etc.

The protesters stayed in front of the House of Parliament from 12 noon to 2:30 pm. Leaders from various Hindu communities, social organisations, and youth organisations gave speeches in front of the present media. They all condemned the atrocities on minorities in Bangladesh and urged the Bangladesh administration to ensure the safety and security of all the citizens. They also reminded all that Hindus also made equal contributions to all achievements of Bangladesh, starting from the 1951 language movement, 1971’s liberation war, and so on. They should enjoy the same equal rights as citizens from other faiths. They should be treated equally. They urged the UK Government, the United Nations and other Human rights organisations to pursue the administration of Bangladesh to ensure the safeguards of the lives and belongings of all minorities.

From Parliament Square, the protesters moved to the BBC broadcasting house to protest against the BBC’s very biased news reporting. In their opinion, BBC never highlighted in their news coverage the enormous recent and historical sufferings of the Hindus in Bangladesh. They handed over a protest letter for the attention of the BBC news team showing the various recent atrocities committed on Hindus and requested to cover those. They also appeal to the BBC and all media outlets to amplify the voices of religious minorities in Bangladesh by raising awareness of their plight in the global media. They also urge them to pressure the Bangladeshi authorities to halt the ongoing atrocities and destruction carried out by fundamentalist forces. All UK Hindu and other humanitarian organisations coordinated the protests.