Protesters chanted slogans demanding peace and equality amid the recent rise in violence.
London:
A large crowd gathered outside the Houses of Parliament in London on Saturday to protest alleged violence against minority Hindus and other groups in Bangladesh following the resignation and departure of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina earlier this week.
Protesters carried Bangladeshi flags and held signs with messages such as “Protect our temples in Bangladesh”, “Hindu lives matter” and “We want justice”.
They chanted slogans demanding peace and equality amid the recent rise in violence.
The rally included activists from various human rights organizations, members of the Bangladeshi diaspora, and Indian-American Hindu allies in solidarity with the Bangladeshi Hindu community.
Unadi, a Bangladeshi protester, expressed concern about the helplessness of Bangladeshi Hindus, saying the majority of the population prevents them from speaking out against injustices.
“Our country became independent in 1971 so that all communities could live peacefully. But now we are suffering atrocities committed by the majority community,” Unadi said.
He compared the situation in Bangladesh with that in other countries, noting that while governments around the world protect their minorities, the opposite is true in Bangladesh, forcing many to flee the country.
“People’s mentality has to change so that we can live in peace. In modern times like these, all communities must learn to coexist peacefully. We are all the same,” she added.
A protester from the Bengali Christian Association in the United Kingdom highlighted the need for equal treatment for all communities.
“I demand the interim government to amend the constitution as it currently states that Bangladesh is a Muslim country. However, all communities fought for Bangladesh’s independence, so the country belongs to everyone,” she said.
Another protester highlighted that Bangladesh’s minorities are being forced to flee due to ongoing atrocities committed by the majority community.
“We are gathered here because for the last five or six days, people in Bangladesh have been torturing and burning our homes. They cannot take our country away from us and they cannot deport us. We want to live in safety and peace in our country . Violence against minorities must stop,” he said.
Another protester shared that his home in Bangladesh had been looted and burned down a few days ago.
“My house was burned. A few days ago, many people ransacked our house,” he said.
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