On the evening of August 7, Hindus in Kolkata gathered to protest the ruthless attacks on minority Hindus in Bangladesh. The demonstration, held at the Jadavpur 8B bus stand, drew attention due to its spontaneous nature and significant participation, including many BJP workers and members of the Hindu community, without the flag of any specific organisation.
The protesters formed a human chain, lit candles, and demanded safety and security for the minority Hindus attacked by Islamic fundamentalists in Bangladesh. Notable figures such as Professor Mohit Roy, an expert on Bangladesh affairs, and writer Sandeep Bagchi, were present and voiced their concerns.
The protest comes amid ongoing tension in Bangladesh, which is currently under Army rule with an interim government being formed by some agents of the ‘Deep State’. This unrest followed violent protests by students over job quotas, which escalated and led to the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her subsequent fleeing of the country.
Despite the critical situation in Bangladesh, no protest has been organised by student organisations or professors from nearby Jadavpur University (JU), an institution known for its left-liberal and ‘Urban Naxal’ movements supporting various international causes. In stark contrast, the Hindu community’s protest highlighted their concern for the safety of Bangladeshi Hindus.
The speakers at the demonstration stressed the need for urgent action to prevent what they described as the ‘genocide of Hindus,’ drawing parallels to historical atrocities such as the Noakhali Massacre of 1946 and the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. They criticised the silence of political parties like CPIM, Congress, and TMC on the issue, urging them to take measures to protect vulnerable Hindus in Bangladesh.
A leaflet distributed during the protest, on behalf of Campaign Against Atrocities on Minorities of Bangladesh (CAAMB), detailed the long history of oppression faced by Hindus in Bangladesh. It highlighted the dramatic decrease in the Hindu population from 30 percent to 7 percent over the past 75 years and recounted repeated attacks on Hindus, including in 1990, 1992, and 2001. The leaflet called for the Indian Government and the Hindu society of West Bengal to take responsibility for the safety of Bangladeshi Hindus to prevent West Bengal from becoming ‘West Bangladesh.’
The protestors also emphasised the need for preparedness should a large number of Hindu refugees flee Bangladesh due to the current crisis. They urged for solidarity and immediate action to ensure the safety and security of minorities facing persecution in Bangladesh.
