Thousands of Hindus gathered in Bhopal on December 4, to protest against the ongoing atrocities and persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh. The protest, organised by the Sakal Hindu Samaj, was held at Bharat Mata Chowk and featured a massive rally stretching three kilometers, culminating at Roshanpura Square. The event was not just a call for attention but a loud and clear demand for action both within India and on the international stage.
The protest was fueled by growing anger and frustration over the systematic violence and discrimination against the Hindu minority in Bangladesh. The situation has worsened in recent years, with increasing reports of Hindu women being abducted, forcibly converted, and raped. Hindu businesses and homes are often targeted by fundamentalist groups, and many Hindus have been pressured to leave their jobs in key government and police positions. Senior Supreme Court advocate Ashwini Upadhyay, who was the main speaker at the protest, articulated the gravity of the situation, stressing the urgent need for Indian Hindus to unite in support of their Bangladeshi counterparts.
“While 99.99 per cent of Hindus in India stand with the Hindus of Bangladesh, we need to be organised in our efforts here in India. The demographic landscape of several Indian states, especially in border areas, has already changed, and this is only going to get worse unless we act,” said Upadhyay.
The advocate, who has been a vocal critic of the atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh, drew stark comparisons between the safety and majority status of Hindus in India and the perilous conditions their counterparts face across the border. “In India, no Prime Minister has to flee for their life, no army has revolted, but in Bangladesh, Hindus are being forced to resign from critical positions like doctors, teachers, judges, and police officers just because they are Hindus. This is the reality we are dealing with,” he said.
Upadhyay, who has previously filed public interest litigations (PILs) in the Supreme Court seeking stronger laws to combat hate speech and religious extremism, also highlighted the dangerous rise of jihadi thinking in Bangladesh and its threat to regional stability. “This fire of hatred against Hindus in Bangladesh needs to be controlled. I have filed a PIL urging the Indian government to define hate speech and take action against those spreading such ideologies. This is a battle for our collective identity,” he declared.
In a direct challenge to what he referred to as “jihadi mentality,” Upadhyay also called on police officers in India to take immediate action against the illegal conversions and religious extremism happening within the country. “Whenever you receive complaints about conversions, apply the necessary sections of the law such as NSA, UAPA, and others. Don’t hesitate. The Supreme Court has given a clear direction on this,” he urged, emphasising the need for proactive law enforcement.
The rally also addressed the growing concerns regarding demographic changes in India due to illegal immigration. Upadhyay warned that an estimated 6 crore infiltrators from neighboring countries are living in India, which poses a serious threat to the country’s unity and integrity. He lamented the loss of territories historically connected to India, such as Afghanistan (formerly Kandahar) and Pakistan (formerly part of Bharat), and cautioned that the demographic shifts within India were a significant national concern.
The protestors, led by various Hindu religious leaders and organisations, marched in unison through the streets of Bhopal, making their voices heard loud and clear. The rally was supported by a wide array of local leaders, saints, and activists, including Mahamandaleshwar Rampravesh Das Ji Maharaj, Swami Alinanda Ji Maharaj, and Shri Mahant Radha Mohandas Ji Maharaj, along with several representatives from the Sant Samaj and various social organisations.
The rally’s purpose was clear: to demand that the Bangladesh government immediately end the ongoing atrocities against Hindus and release the imprisoned ISKCON saint, Chinmay Krishna Das, who had been arrested for his vocal stance against the persecution. The protestors also urged the Indian government to take decisive steps to stop the atrocities on Hindus and other religious minorities in Bangladesh and to build international pressure to hold the Bangladeshi government accountable for its actions.
The demonstration saw significant support from local businesses in Bhopal, with traders voluntarily closing their markets for half the day to show solidarity. The agricultural market in the city also observed a complete shutdown, reinforcing the widespread concern among the local population. The protest was not only a call to the government but also a testament to the unity of the Hindu community in standing up for justice.
As the protest progressed, a memorandum was submitted to the Bhopal Police Commissioner, Harinarayan Chari Mishra, signed by the leading figures of the rally, including local dignitaries and religious leaders. The document, read out by Manoj Banga, President of the Digambar Jain Samaj, demanded immediate action from both the Indian and Bangladeshi governments to ensure the safety and rights of Hindus.
In his speech, Upadhyay concluded by emphasising the need for a collective effort to extinguish the growing fire of hatred that is threatening not only the Hindu community in Bangladesh but also the very fabric of Indian society. “The Hindus of Bangladesh are burning in the fire of hatred, and this fire can only be put out by uniting against this jihadi mentality,” he declared.
The protest was a resounding statement of unity and resilience, with participants vowing to continue their fight for justice, not only for the Hindus of Bangladesh but for the protection of the values and ideals that bind Hindus together worldwide. The Sakal Hindu Samaj’s call for action echoes a broader message—one that seeks to ensure the safety, security, and dignity of Hindus, both in India and abroad, in the face of growing extremism.
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