Bangladesh

Protesters at Shahbagh demand ‘highest punishment’ for anti-Hindu attacks

Bybdnews24.com
A group of protesters, under the banner of ISKCON at Shamibag Ashram, hold a demonstration at Dhaka’s Shahbagh intersection on Monday, October 18, 2021 to protest the recent attacks on Hindu temples and puja venues across the country.
A group of protesters, under the banner of ISKCON at Shamibag Ashram, hold a demonstration at Dhaka’s Shahbagh intersection on Monday, October 18, 2021 to protest the recent attacks on Hindu temples and puja venues across the country.
A group of protesters, under the banner of ISKCON at Shamibag Ashram, started a demonstration at Dhaka’s Shahbagh intersection on Monday, October 18, 2021 to protest the recent attacks on Hindu temples and puja venues across the country. Students from Dhaka University then joined them in solidarity.

The protesters also demanded compensation for the victims among a list of seven demands.

Several hundred Dhaka University students and a group under the banner of ISKCON at Swamibag Ashram, gave the government 24 hours to respond.

Students from Jagannath Hall and other dormitories joined the ISKCON followers at the intersection around 10:30 am on Monday.

The protesters obstructed the intersection for three hours before announcing the list of demands at 2:15 pm and ending the demonstration.

The protest resulted in heavy traffic congestion in Paltan, the Science Laboratory area, Bangla Motor, and the road leading to the TSC. The congestion gradually eased after the protest ended.

The list of demands was announced by Joydeep Dutta, former literary editor of Jagannath Hall Student Council and protest convener.

“If the government does not accept our demands within 24 hours, or does not contact us for discussions, we will announce another protest tomorrow afternoon,” said Dutta. “That demonstration will be even harsher.” 

Bangladesh has seen a series of anti-Hindu attacks in the past few days after allegations that the Quran had been ‘dishonoured’ at a Hindu temple during Durga Puja sparked violence in several districts.

At least six people have been killed during attacks in Chandpur, Chattogram, Noakhali, Feni and other areas.

Despite the deployment of additional security personnel, 29 homes belonging to the Hindu community were burned in Rangpur’s Pirgonj on Sunday night after a local Hindu youth was accused of making a Facebook post allegedly ‘blasphemous to religion’.

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