‘Who We Are? Bengalis!’ Bangladeshi Hindus On Streets Against The Attack On Minorities

Hundreds of Bangladeshi Hindus took to the streets of Dhaka to protest against a series of targeted attacks and the vandalism of temples that followed the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government. This comes amid ongoing student protests. Videos circulating on social media show crowds holding posters calling for the protection of minorities, while chants of “Who are we? Bengali, Bengali” filled the air.

The protesters called for peace as they blocked an intersection in the capital on Friday, chanting ‘Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna.’

Hasina’s Awami League shared videos of the protests on X, stating, “Bangladesh Hindus have gathered in Shahbagh, Dhaka, to protest against the attacks on their lives, properties, and places of worship since August 5.”

Reports indicate widespread looting of Hindu homes and attacks on temples in Bangladesh since Hasina fled to India following weeks of protests over a controversial government job quota system. Hindus make up about 8 percent of the country’s population.

Also Read: Crowd Gathers Outside UN Headquarters Against Attacks On Hindus In Bangladesh

Since the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, over 230 people have died. Amid the violence, a school teacher and two Hindu councillors were killed, and at least 45 others were injured, according to Reuters. An ISKCON temple in Meherpur, in Bangladesh’s Khulna division, was also vandalized and set on fire.

Hundreds of Bangladeshi Hindus have tried to cross into India by land. India shares a nearly 4,096 km long land and river border with Bangladesh.

The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council claimed that at least 52 out of the country’s 64 districts have been affected by communal violence. The council has appealed to Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus, who took charge as head of an interim government on Thursday, to ensure the safety and well-being of minorities.

In his first address to the nation on Thursday, Yunus warned that those causing unrest would face strict action from law enforcement agencies.

The Indian government expressed concern over the situation of minorities in Bangladesh and stated that it is closely monitoring the situation. The Ministry of External Affairs, in its weekly briefing on Thursday, highlighted that various initiatives have been undertaken by groups and organizations in Bangladesh to protect minorities.