Protest Erupts in London Over Killings of Hindus in Bangladesh

Melbourne 28 December: Members of the Indian and Bangladeshi Hindu communities in London staged a protest on Saturday outside the Bangladesh High Commission, condemning the killing of Hindus and the growing violence against religious minorities in Bangladesh.

During the demonstration, protesters played Amar Shonar Bangla, the national anthem of Bangladesh, and raised slogans calling for an immediate end to attacks on minority communities. The protest reflected deep concern over the deteriorating security situation for Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh.

The London protest followed a wave of demonstrations across several Indian cities on Friday, where people took to the streets in response to reports of atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh.

In India, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers organised a torchlight rally in Siliguri to highlight the issue. BJP leader Anita Mahato, who participated in the rally, said that violence against Hindus would continue unless the community stood united. She claimed that Hindus in Bangladesh were being brutally targeted and called for collective resistance to protect religious identity and human rights.

The protests intensified after reports emerged of the lynching of two Hindu Bangladeshi nationals, sparking a major political controversy in India. Demonstrations were held in several states, including West Bengal and Assam, with protesters demanding accountability from the Bangladesh government.

In Kolkata, multiple organisations, many of them pro-Hindu groups, marched through the streets wearing saffron-coloured clothing. They called for an immediate halt to violence against minorities, particularly Hindus, in Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, the Indian government has expressed serious concern over repeated incidents of violence against religious minorities in Bangladesh, including Hindus, Christians, and Buddhists. New Delhi said it is closely monitoring developments in the neighbouring country.

Addressing the media, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India was disturbed by the continued hostility faced by minority communities in Bangladesh. He condemned the recent killing of a Hindu youth in Mymensingh and said India expects those responsible to be brought to justice.