Bangladesh Sammilito Sanatani Jagoron Jote Protests in Dhaka Against Attacks on Minorities

Melbourne, January 10: The Bangladesh Sammilito Sanatani Jagoron Jote held a protest rally in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka on Friday, January 9, 2026, condemning the ongoing killings, rapes, torture, and destruction of temples and homes targeting minority communities across the country. The demonstration, which began at 3:00 pm, drew a large number of leaders, activists, and members of the Sanatani community.

Speakers at the rally accused the authorities of failing to protect minorities, who they said are facing continuous and severe violations of human rights in different parts of the country. They stressed that these incidents are not isolated crimes but part of a coordinated and organised campaign of violence. Despite repeated attacks on lives, homes, and religious institutions, effective legal action against perpetrators has been rare, they said, creating a deep sense of fear and insecurity among minority communities.

In a statement signed by the organisation’s founding representative, Prosenjit Kumar Halder, the alliance said its movement is being carried forward under the slogan, “Eight demands, one voice, justice must prevail.” From the protest at the National Press Club, the group put forward a series of urgent demands aimed at ensuring the safety and rights of minorities. These include strong state action against planned and targeted violence, impartial investigation and prosecution of cases involving murder, rape, and assault, the swift arrest and exemplary punishment of offenders, full protection for minority lives, homes, and religious sites, and proper compensation and rehabilitation for affected families.

Speakers warned that remaining silent in the face of such grave human rights abuses is equivalent to siding with injustice. They called on people from all walks of life to stand together, saying that justice cannot be achieved without unity. A safe and just society, they said, can only be built through mutual coexistence, solidarity, and respect for human dignity.

Held on a public holiday, the protest saw a significant turnout from the Sanatani community. Participants urged the government to take immediate and effective action to implement their demands and vowed to continue their movement until justice and security for minorities are ensured.

Source: OTN Bangla