Diaspora (Commonwealth Union) _ Hundreds of protestors gathered in London to raise awareness about the rising atrocities against minority Hindus in Bangladesh, following the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Members of the Bangladeshi and Indian diaspora, along with other concerned communities, marched from Big Ben to 10 Downing Street, the official residence of the British Prime Minister, demanding immediate action to stop the ongoing violence.
The demonstrators carried placards and voiced their concerns over the alarming human rights violations occurring in Bangladesh. They highlighted incidents of desecration of Hindu temples, arson, lynching, and sexual assaults targeting the Hindu minority, as reported by various media outlets. The protest was fuelled by fears that the violence could escalate into a genocide-like situation if left unchecked.
In a press release issued after the march, a spokesperson for the protestors condemned the exploitation of Bangladesh’s political instability by extremist groups and certain Islamic organizations. They argued that these groups are using the unrest to force minorities out of the country, drawing chilling parallels to the events of 1947 and 1971. The spokesperson also pointed to the desecration of statues of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founder of Bangladesh, and Rabindranath Tagore, the writer of the national anthem, as evidence of how extremists are manipulating political issues to advance their agenda.
The protestors urged the British government to intervene and mediate peace in Bangladesh, calling for an end to the persecution of minorities and a thorough investigation into the violence. They released a list documenting over 40 incidents of attacks on the Hindu community across Bangladesh on August 5 alone.
The situation in Bangladesh has garnered international attention, with separate groups raising their voices in solidarity with the persecuted minorities. Notably, the Australian Jewish Association (AJA) has also expressed concern over the targeted attacks on Hindus. Robert Gregory, CEO of the AJA, issued a statement on August 6, urging the Albanese government to speak out against the atrocities and stand with the victims.
The continuation of violence against Hindus since Sheikh Hasina’s departure has sparked a global outcry, with calls for immediate action to protect the vulnerable communities in Bangladesh.
