A day after protest was held in Kishtwar over violence against Hindus in Bangladesh, protests were held in Jammu and Rajouri on Tuesday over lynching of a Hindu man in Bangladesh, with demonstrators urging the Indian government to take decisive steps to protect minorities in the neighbouring country.
Members of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court Bar Association staged a protest in Jammu, condemning what they described as repeated attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh. The lawyers appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to intervene, either by ensuring the safety of Hindus in Bangladesh or facilitating their relocation to India.
Bar Association president Nirmal K. Kotwal said the violence against Hindus across the border was deeply disturbing and required a firm response. “The country stands united behind the Prime Minister and the Home Minister to take strong steps to stop atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh,” he said, adding that India has the capacity to safeguard the community.
“We condemn the repeated attacks and killings of Hindus in Bangladesh. We want the protection of Hindus. We want to send a message to Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji and Home Minister Amit Shah ji that the entire country stands with them to take stern steps to ensure that atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh are stopped,” Kotwal, said.
The protesters also raised demands for the eviction of illegal Bangladeshi and Rohingya immigrants from Jammu, alleging that while Hindus face persecution in Bangladesh, undocumented migrants are being extended facilities in the region.The demonstrations followed the killing of 25-year-old Dipu Chandra Das, a garment factory worker, who was lynched on December 18 in Baluka area of Mymensingh district over allegations of blasphemy. Police reports said Das was assaulted by a mob, hanged from a tree, and later his body was set on fire near the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway.
Separately, the Shiv Sena Dogra Front held a protest at Rani Park in Jammu, echoing similar concerns. Party president Ashok Gupta condemned the violence and criticised the alleged preferential treatment of illegal immigrants in Jammu.“We condemn the killings of Hindus in Bangladesh. They are killing Hindus there, while illegal Bangladeshi and Rohingya settlers are being provided facilities in Jammu,” the outfit’s president, Ashok Gupta, said.
Several Hindu right outfits under the banners of Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal demonstrated at Panja Chowk in Rajouri district against the lynching.An effigy of Muhammad Yunus, the chief advisor of the interim government in Bangladesh, was set ablaze during the protest.
Follow us
