On the 12th of August, a massive protest rally was organised in Paris, France by the expatriate Hindus against the atrocities being inflicted on Hindus in Bangladesh by Islamists after the ouster of Sheikh Hasina. World Hindu Federation – European Union Chapter, JusticeMakers Bangladesh and another organisation of Bangladeshi minority communities in France participated in the protests.
During the peaceful demonstration, the protestors carrying Bangladesh flags raised slogans calling for stopping attacks against minorities, particularly Hindus, their houses and temples in Bangladesh. They also raised “Save Bangladeshi Hindus”, and “Save Buddhists in Bangladesh”.
The speakers in the rally strongly protested against the barbaric attacks on the minority Hindus in Bangladesh and strongly condemned the inaction of the army and administration in the attack on minority Hindus, and vandalism of monasteries and temples.
The protestors appealed to the various international human rights organizations and global leaders to stop brutal attacks on minority Hindus and to protect Hindus in Bangladesh.
They also presented a proposal to the new government of Bangladesh. The protesting Hindus demanded that the Islamists who attacked Hindus since Sheikh Hasina’s resignation on 5th August be punished. In addition, the Hindu victims of the attacks be provided adequate compensation and rehabilitation.
Moreover, legislation for Minority Protection and the Ministry of Minority Affairs should be formed. The protestors urged the Mohammad Yunus-led government to protect all monasteries, temples, churches, and pagodas. They demanded that the law on the return of vested property should be properly implemented.
Most importantly, the protestors demanded that Bangladesh cannot have a state religion.
Notably, similar protests were organised in the United States. On Sunday (10th August), nearly 300 Indian Americans and Bangladeshi-origin Hindus gathered outside Sugar Land City Hall in Houston to condemn the atrocities carried out by Islamists against Hindus and other minority groups in Bangladesh. This protest was organised by the Global Voice for Bangladesh Minorities, an umbrella organization representing major Houston Hindu groups, including Maitri, Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America, HinduAction, HinduPact, Houston Durgabari Society, ISKCON, Global Kashmiri Pandit Diaspora, etc.
The protestors here urged the US government to take immediate measures to save Bangladeshi Hindus and other minorities instead of being a silent spectator. During the protests, “Stop Hindu Genocide,” “Stand Up and Speak Out Now,” “Hindu Lives Matter,” and “We Won’t Run, We Won’t Hide, Stop Hindu Genocide” slogans were raised.
Similarly, several people gathered outside the Houses of Parliament in London to protest against the ongoing anti-Hindu pogroms in Bangladesh. The protestors raised “Protect our temples in Bangladesh,” “Hindu lives matter,” and “We want justice” slogans.
On Sunday, thousands of Canadians staged a protest across downtown Toronto to stand in solidarity against the violence against Hindus in Bangladesh, after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation. Canadians of Hindu, Christian, Buddhist and Jewish origin gathered in Downtown Toronto. People in the protest held in Downtown Toronto were seen chanting, “We want justice – Bangladesh Bangladesh”. The protesters urged the Canadian Government to press the Dhaka Government to protect Hindus in Bangladesh.
