Bhubaneswar: Strong protests erupted across several districts of western Odisha following the brutal killing of Dipu Chandra Das, a young Hindu man in Mymensingh, Bangladesh. The demonstrations were organised by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Odisha (Paschim ) Prant, along with the Bajrang Dal, to condemn what they described as inhuman atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh. As part of the protests, activists burned effigies of Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus and demanded a firm response from the Government of India.
Protesters alleged that attacks on Hindu minorities in Bangladesh have been steadily increasing and accused the Bangladeshi authorities of failing to protect minority Hindu communities. The killing of Dipu Chandra Das, who was allegedly beaten to death and whose body was set on fire in a public place in Mymensingh, was described by the organisations as a shocking incident that “shames humanity”. VHP and Bajrang Dal leaders termed the act as “brutality by a radical mob under state patronage” and called for exemplary punishment for those responsible.
According to Bajrang Dal Odisha (Paschim ) Prant Convenor Ram Chandra Nayak, anger over the incident has spread across the country. Speaking to the Organiser Weekly , Nayak said that the protests in western Odisha were a reflection of widespread public outrage against the continued targeting of Hindus in Bangladesh. He said peaceful yet powerful demonstrations were held in Bhawanipatna, Sonepur, Balangir, Rayagada, Jharsuguda, Dharamgarh and several other locations.
Massive protest rally in Bhawanipatna
In Kalahandi district headquarters Bhawanipatna, the VHP organised a large-scale protest against the alleged atrocities on Hindus in Bangladesh and the killing of Dipu Chandra Das. A massive rally was taken out from the Maa Manikeswari Temple, passing through Ghodaghat Chowk and culminating at Gandhi Chowk. At the protest meeting held there, demonstrators burned an effigy of Muhammad Yunus.
Several prominent speakers addressed the gathering, including Baba Madhusudan Das, Harjinder Singh (Secretary, Gurdwara Singh Sabha), Balbinder Kaur (Women’s Coordination), VHP Vimarsh Pramukh Devi Prasad Das, Durga Vahini District Convenor Nivedita Mishra, Department Organisation Minister Ramchandra Nayak and Bajrang Dal District Milan Kendra Pramukh Shrimant Patel. The speakers demanded immediate steps to ensure the safety and dignity of Hindus in Bangladesh and urged the international community to take note of the situation. Over 200 people participated in the programme. VHP District President Shantanu Kumar Mund delivered the vote of thanks, while District Secretary Sevakram Sahu conducted the proceedings.
Padayatra and demonstration in Sonepur
In Sonepur district, VHP and Bajrang Dal activists organised a padayatra starting from Nalini Chowk and moving through various parts of the town. The march culminated at Biju Patnaik Chowk, where a protest meeting was held. Bajrang Dal District Convenor Anshuman Panda, Co-Convenor Subrat Kumar Barik, Nagar Convenor Hari Rajput, VHP District Treasurer Ganesh Pradhan and District Dharma Prasar Pramukh Mitra Bhai strongly condemned the attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh and demanded justice for Dipu Chandra Das.
Bajrang Dal activists take to the streets in Balangir
In Balangir, VHP and Bajrang Dal workers held a protest rally from Gopalji Temple to Kacheri Chowk. The demonstrators raised slogans demanding protection for Hindus in Bangladesh. They also called for the identification and deportation of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants and Rohingyas residing in India. Senior office-bearers, including Bajrang Dal Odisha West Province Convenor Saumya Ranjan Mishra, were present during the protest.
Protest against ‘Hindu Atrocities’ in Rayagada
A large demonstration was organised in Rayagada on the joint call of the VHP, Bajrang Dal, Matru Shakti and Durga Vahini. The protest rally began from the Jagannath Temple, with participants raising slogans against the Bangladesh government and demanding strict punishment for those involved in the killing of Dipu Chandra Das. Speakers asserted that while Sanatan Dharma teaches peace and harmony, silence is not an option when oppression crosses limits. They warned that if attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh do not stop, the agitation would be intensified. The rally concluded at the Rayagada railway station, where protesters paid floral tributes to the deceased Dipu Das.
Demonstrations in Jharsuguda
In Jharsuguda, the Bajrang Dal organised a protest march from Manmohan Ground to the Old Bus Stand. Activists raised slogans against the Bangladesh government and reiterated demands for the deportation of Bangladeshi and Rohingya infiltrators from India.
Appeal to the Central Government
VHP and Bajrang Dal leaders urged the central government to exert diplomatic pressure on Bangladesh to ensure the safety of Hindu minorities and to raise the issue forcefully at international forums. The organisations stated that their protests would continue until attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh come to an end.
