In the wake of ongoing protests against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in Bangladesh, Hindus in the country are facing severe and targeted attacks. Reports have surfaced that a Hindu councillor and a Hindu journalist were brutally killed amidst the chaos. However, the plight of these victimised Hindus is being stifled on social media, as several accounts raising voices about these atrocities have been banned in India.
The account ‘Voice of Bangladeshi Hindus’ on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) has reported that two prominent handles, ‘VoiceOfHindu71’ and ‘Hindu8789’, have been blocked in India.
Why India???? pic.twitter.com/6bwcRbRDqY
— Voice of Bangladeshi Hindus 🇧🇩 (@VoiceofHindu71) August 6, 2024
According to ‘Voice of Bangladeshi Hindus’, the ‘Hindu8789’ handle was operated by their team, and it actively shared pictures and videos of continuous attacks on Hindu temples in Bangladesh. The account also shared the legal notice it received from ‘X’ regarding the ban.
‘VoiceOfHindu71’ was informed that the Indian government had issued a notice for the removal of their handle. The content that the Indian government found objectionable has been banned within the country.
My Account @hindu8789 withheld in India. Plz Follow this Account. 🙏🙏@VoiceofHindu71
— Voice of Bangladeshi Hindus 🇧🇩 (@VoiceofHindu71) August 6, 2024
This development has sparked outrage among those advocating for the rights and safety of Hindus. Many are questioning the Indian government’s motives, especially given that the current administration is led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
A representative from ‘Voice of Bangladeshi Hindus’ expressed bewilderment, questioning why the Indian government has taken issue with their efforts to highlight the brutality faced by Hindus in Bangladesh. They pointed out that their focus is solely on their community’s suffering and has no bearing on Indian Muslims, intellectuals, or leftists.
Photographs shared on social media depict an Islamic mob setting fire to a doctor’s house in Bangladesh. Other images show attacks on Hindu shops, including the vandalisation of a Hindu doctor’s medical shop. Meanwhile, Islamic fundamentalists and so-called fact-checkers in India, such as Mohammed Zubair, are circulating images purportedly showing Muslims protecting temples in Bangladesh, although the details and context of these images remain unclear.
The backlash on social media has been intense. A verified user wrote, “Voice of Bangladeshi Hindus, an account that was documenting the attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh, has been withheld in India in response to a legal demand. Wonder who raised that demand?”
Another user commented, “The Modi government got ‘Voice of Bangladeshi Hindus’ withheld in India. Just wow! So this is the response of BJP to Hindu genocide in Bangladesh? Only anti-Hindus can be so insensitive to the pain, tears, and blood of Hindus.”
Further criticism came from a user who highlighted the inadequate response from both the government and the media: “The response from the government and media has been inadequate. ‘Voice of Bangladeshi Hindus,’ an account documenting the attacks on Hindus, has faced threats from terror outfits and now has been withheld in India in response to a legal demand by the Government of India.”
The censorship of these social media accounts raises serious questions about the balance between national security concerns and the right to free speech, especially when it pertains to raising awareness about human rights violations. As the situation in Bangladesh remains volatile, the international community continues to watch closely, urging for transparency and justice for all affected communities.
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