Thousands of Bangladeshi Hindus protest for their rights

October 2024: An estimated 30,000 Hindus held a rally at Laldighi Maidan in Chittagong to demand that the Bangladesh Government increase the provision of rights and security for Hindus and other minorities in the country (Source: The Independent). Led by Sanatan Jagran Manch, this has been one of the largest public demonstrations by Hindu Bangladeshis since, the widespread attacks on them since 5th August. Hindu activists are calling on the government to fulfil eight demands:

1. Establishment of a Special Tribunal for speedy trials for those involved in minority persecution, including compensation and rehabilitation for victims
2. Enactment of a Minority Protection Law
3. Creation of a Ministry for Minority Affairs
4. Upgrade of the Hindu, Buddhist and Christian Welfare Trusts to Foundations
5. Laws to Recover and Protect Temple Properties
6. Dedicated prayer Rooms in Educational Institutions
7. Modernisation of Sanskrit and Pali Education Boards
8. Five-Day Public Holiday for Durga Puja

August 2024 saw a huge uptick in anti-Hindu violence in Bangladesh, with thousands of Hindu homes and temples attacked by radical Islamist mobs.

Hindus in Bangladesh have long been the targets of systematic violence in Bangladesh. During Bangladesh’s freedom struggle in 1970-71. The Bangladesh government estimated that up to 2.4 million of the 3 million Bangladeshis killed in a genocide by Pakistan’s Army were Hindus.