Hindus hold a rally demanding minority rights and security assurance
- In Reports
- 08:23 PM, Oct 26, 2024
- Myind Staff
The Sanatan Jagran Manch organised a large-scale rally on Friday at Chittagong's historic Laldighi Maidan, gathering thousands of Hindus in a call for minority rights and security assurances from the interim government. The rally drew a significant turnout as Hindu activists vowed to continue their mass demonstrations until the Bangladesh government, presently under the leadership of Muhammad Yunus, meets their eight demands.
The demands outlined by the Sanatan Jagran Manch include establishing a tribunal to expedite trials for crimes against minorities, providing appropriate compensation and rehabilitation for victims, and enacting a minority protection law without delay.
Additionally, they seek the formation of a Ministry of Minority Affairs and request that educational institutions and hostels construct prayer rooms or designated worship spaces for minorities. The group also calls for the elevation of the Hindu, Buddhist, and Christian welfare trusts to foundation status, alongside proper implementation of the Property Recovery and Preservation Act and the Transfer of Entrusted Property Act. Furthermore, they demand modernization of the existing Sanskrit and Pali education boards and have called for a five-day holiday to be observed during Durga Puja.
On Thursday, Bangladesh's Environment Minister Syeda Rizwana Hasan released a statement acknowledging the demands of the Hindu community, announcing a historic two-day holiday for Durga Puja as a gesture of assurance. This rally at Laldighi Maidan represents one of the largest gatherings organised by Hindu groups since the ousting of Sheikh Hasina on August 5. Despite earlier assurances from the interim government to protect minority rights, incidents of vandalism, looting and physical assaults against minorities have reportedly escalated under its tenure.
In a statement to the news agency PTI in September, Interim Prime Minister Muhammad Yunus claimed that reports of crimes against minorities had been "exaggerated," suggesting that these incidents were more political than communal in nature.
Image source: Hindustan Times
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