Hundreds protest in Dhaka over violence against Hindus in Bangladesh
Dhaka/IBNS: The turmoil in Bangladesh is far from ending with hundreds of people protesting in the capital Dhaka on Friday against violence targeting the country's minority Hindus since former prime minister Sheikh Hasina quit and fled the country earlier this week, according to a Reuters report.
A school teacher was killed, as per Reuters and many were injured as homes, businesses, and temples of Hindus in Muslim-majority Bangladesh were targeted and vandalised following Hasina's resignation on Monday, who then escaped to India.
On Friday, protesters were seen carrying posters demanding Bangladeshi minorities be "saved" and chanted slogans of "who are we, Bengali Bengali" and appealed for peace as they blocked an intersection in the capital on Friday.
Hindus, who make up about 8% of Bangladesh's population of 170 million, have traditionally supported Hasina's Awami League party.
The Awami League Party has incurred people's anger after violent clashes between anti-quota protesters and security forces last month.
Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council estimates at least 52 of the country's 64 districts have been impacted by communal violence since Aug 5.
The council sought the help of Muhammad Yunus, the Nobel Peace Prize-winning economist who took charge as head of an interim government on Thursday.
"There is deep apprehension, anxiety and uncertainty among minorities across the country," the council said in an open letter on Friday.
UN wants racial violence 'be tamped down' in Bangladesh
Meanwhile, the office of the United Nations Secretary-General has said the violence in Bangladesh should be "tamped down", adding it stands against any "racially based attacks" or "racially based incitement to violence".
"What we've made clear is we want to make sure that the violence that has been occurring in Bangladesh in recent weeks is tamped down. Certainly, we stand against any racially based attacks or racially based incitement to violence," Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, said here on Thursday.
Thousands of Bangladeshi Hindus have been trying to flee to neighbouring India to escape the violence.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also appealed for the "safety and protection" of Hindus and Bangladesh's other minorities in a message on X on Thursday as he congratulated Muhammad Yunus on taking charge of the caretaker government.
My best wishes to Professor Muhammad Yunus on the assumption of his new responsibilities. We hope for an early return to normalcy, ensuring the safety and protection of Hindus and all other minority communities. India remains committed to working with Bangladesh to fulfill the…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 8, 2024
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