Hindu community stages protest against violence

Hundreds of protesters from ten Hindu organisations on Friday staged demonstration at Shahbagh protesting recent attacks on temples, vandalism of idols, arson and violence against Hindu community, reports UNB.

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (Iskcon) led the events in front of the National Museum in Shahbagh.

National Hindu Forum General Secretary Manik Sarkar said, "Don't think Hindus are weak anymore. We will now respond to all attacks on the streets."

President of Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad Tapas Paul said, "Attacks on Hindus, vandalism, killings and attacks on our business establishments are being carried out all over the country systematically. But the government and administration are taking action after the incident instead of preventing them."

He also announced that a hunger strike protest will be observed in Shahbagh from 10am to 12pm on Saturday.

bdnews24.com adds: the Hindu, Buddhist and Christian Unity Council of Bangladesh has announced a mass protest campaign over the religiously motivated attacks on Hindus in different parts of Bangladesh during the Durga Puja celebrations.

As part of the campaign, hunger strikes, sit-ins and demonstrations will be held across the country, including Dhaka and Chattogram, from 6 am to 12 pm today (Saturday), said Monindra Kumar Nath, joint secretary of the organisation.

The Bangladesh Puja Celebration Council and the Mahanagar Puja Celebration Council have expressed solidarity with the campaign.

Nirmal Kumar Chatterjee, general secretary of Bangladesh Puja Celebration Council the mass hunger strikes will be staged at the divisional, district and sub-district levels, including the capital's Shahbagh and the port city's Andarkilla.

A provocative social media campaign centring the alleged dishonouring of the holy Quran at a Puja venue in Cumilla on October 13 triggered communal violence during which Muslim fanatics carried out attacks on temples and Puja venues in the city, leaving scores of people injured.

Later, Hindu places of worship, houses and businesses were attacked in several other districts including Chandpur, Chattogram, Noakhali, Feni and Rangpur.