London: British Hindus and Bangladeshi diaspora groups gathered at Parliament Square in London on Wednesday to protest against the persecution of minorities in Bangladesh, calling on the British government to ensure the Mohammad Yunus-led interim government acts to protect innocent lives.
The ‘Stand against persecution of minorities in Bangladesh’ mass demonstration brought together a diverse set of organisations, including the Bengali Hindu Adarsha Sangha (BHAS) UK, INSIGHT UK, and Hindu Council UK.
Families, including young children, gathered on a rainy evening to wave placards that read “#SaveBangladeshiHindus” and “Save Hindus in Bangladesh”, as chants of “stop killing Hindus” rang out opposite the Palace of Westminster Parliament complex.
The Hindu Council UK stated that Bangladesh Hindus face daily killings on false blasphemy charges since the Yunus regime took over. They urged UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper to address these “heinous Islamist killings” and consider using British aid to protect victims in Bangladesh.
INSIGHT UK highlighted that the protest aimed to raise awareness about the ongoing persecution, violence, rape, and killings of Hindus and other religious minorities in Bangladesh. The group stressed the need for international attention to these issues.
Last week, the UK government condemned all acts of violence in Bangladesh and called for peaceful elections. The issue was discussed in the House of Commons, where Opposition Conservative Party MP Bob Blackman urged the Labour government to protect minorities and ensure fair elections scheduled for February.
“We actively engage with the humanitarian situation and support the interim government on peaceful and credible elections,” said Alan Campbell, Leader of the Commons. He emphasised the UK’s commitment to human rights promotion and protection, condemning violence based on religion or ethnicity.
Commitment to Human Rights Alan Campbell also welcomed commitments from Interim Head of Government Yunus regarding minority safety. “We have a long-standing commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights,” he stated, stressing ongoing dialogue with Bangladesh’s interim government.
Since last year, British Hindus and Bangladeshi diaspora groups have coordinated protests in London. They condemned actions such as the “unethical arrest of interfaith voice Chinmaya Prabhu” and public lynching of Dipu Das by Islamic extremists. Reports from Dhaka indicate other attacks have occurred.
