The Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal protest together against attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh | FPJ
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad has threatened an economic boycott against Bangladesh in protest of the ongoing instances of violence against Hindus in the country. VHP members also met the Bangladesh Consul General in Mumbai and urged them to ensure safety of Hindus and release ISKCON monk Chinmoy Das.
The instances of violence against Hindus living in Bangladesh are constantly increasing and has become a major issue between India and Bangladesh. Chinmoy Das, a priest associated with ISKCON, was also arrested by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police and the action has been criticised by Hindus in Bangladesh and across the world, India’s Ministry of External Affairs also called the arrest “unfortunate” and said that a peaceful religious leader was detained while perpetrators of attacks against minorities remain at large.
While a lot of people have come out on social media demanding safety for them, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal came on streets on Monday to demand justice for the Hindu community in Bangladesh along with release of ISKCON monk. VHP members along with representatives of ISKCON met the Consul General of Bangladesh to India in Mumbai and urged them to ensure peace in the country. Volunteers of VHP and Bajrang Dal participated in a protest outside the Bangladesh Embassy in Cuffe Parade in large numbers with placards reading ‘Stop Hindu Genocide’, ‘All Eyes On Bangladeshi Hindus’ and ‘Hindus Too Have Human Rights’.
Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha joins VHP protest outside Bangladesh Consulate in Mumbai | FPJ
A large group of VHP members holding placards reading ‘Stop Hindu Genocide’ | FPJ
Shriraj Nair, national spokesperson of VHP, said, “We are not against the citizens of Bangladesh but they should not forget that almost 14,000 Indian soldiers attained martyrdom to set them free from the clutches of Pakistan. Hindu priests have been arrested by the Bangladesh authorities like they are some pick pocketers. This is violation of human rights and we also demand the Indian government to use their diplomacy and foreign policy to ensure peace in Bangladesh.”
While demonstrating a protest outside the Bangladesh Embassy in Cuffe Parade, VHP members announced that they will declare economic boycott against Bangladesh if the country fails to ensure security to Hindus. “We will have to create sustained pressure on Bangladesh by raising the issue at international conventions or launching an economic boycott against them. Bangladesh is dependent on India for a lot of things, including electricity,” said Shailesh trivedi, overseas convenor of VHP’s Konkan Prant.
Amid the protest VHP and ISKCON representatives meet Bangladesh Consul General in Mumbai | FPJ
In a closed door meeting between VHP members and the consul general, VHP members demanded that Bangladesh should ensure safety of all the members of the Hindu community and release ISKCON’s Chinmoy Das and other priests arrested by the law enforcement agencies. It also demanded that those oppressing Hindus should face strict action from the government.
Mohan Salekar, secretary of VHP’s Konkan division, attacked Bangladesh’s Muhammad Yunus government and threatened of widespread demonstrations throughout the country. “ISKCON is not a terrorist organisation. It has always promoted religious and culture in a very peaceful manner. Therefore we demand that Bangladesh should respect our sentiments and immediately release the monk. The Bangladesh government led by Muhammad Yunus is oppressing Hindus with a Jihadi mentality. India played the major role in their independence and they should keep this in mind that we can do anything for the safety of Hindus.
BJP MLA Mangal Prabhat Lodha from Malabar Hill also joined the meeting with Bangladesh’s Consul General and participated in the protest outside the embassy. He warned the Bangladesh government that if it doesn’t release ISKCON priest and apologise for the act within seven days, it will face with massive outrage across India.
“Until the Bangladesh government doesn’t take responsibility to ensure Hindus can exercise their human rights, the community across the world will not sit quiet. Whoever has underestimated Hindus should know what had happened to Muhammad Ghori and Afzal Khan,” added Lodha.
