Peaceful protests in Tripura condemn the lynching of Hindu youth in Bangladesh, highlighting rising violence against minorities and urging urgent action from Dhaka’s interim government to protect religious communities.
A peaceful but powerful protest was held outside the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission office in Agartala on Saturday as activists of the Sanatani Hindu Sena condemned the brutal lynching of a Hindu youth in Bangladesh. The demonstration spotlighted growing concerns over the safety of religious minorities in the neighboring country and urged immediate action from the Bangladesh government to prevent further atrocities.
The protest was sparked by the lynching of 27-year-old Dipu Chandra Das, a Hindu man from Mymensingh city, Bangladesh. On December 18, Das was accused of blasphemy, brutally beaten by a mob, and reportedly set on fire. The incident has sent shockwaves across the region, with activists and human rights groups condemning it as part of a disturbing pattern of violence against minority communities in Bangladesh.
Sanatani Hindu Sena’s district President Gautam Laskar voiced strong criticism of the Bangladeshi authorities, accusing them of repeatedly failing to protect Hindus and other religious minorities from such attacks. “This is not an isolated incident. It is a systematic attack on minorities in Bangladesh. The government must act immediately,” Laskar said during the protest.
The demonstrators marched peacefully but were stopped near the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission by a heavy police and paramilitary presence, deployed to maintain law and order. Despite the tense atmosphere, the protest concluded without violence, underscoring the demonstrators’ resolve to raise their voices peacefully.
Laskar condemned the lynching as a brutal and inhumane act, highlighting that the incident reflects the grim realities faced by minority Hindus in Bangladesh. He warned that if the government fails to halt these attacks, protests could intensify in the future.
In a related development, Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, announced the arrest of seven individuals suspected of involvement in Das’s lynching. This move, however, has done little to quell concerns, as violence against minorities continues to escalate in the country.
Recent months have seen heightened communal tensions in Bangladesh. The killing of Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of the radical group Inqilab Mancha, has triggered further unrest. Hadi, a prominent figure opposing the previous Awami League government, was shot by masked assailants in Dhaka. Despite being rushed to Singapore for medical treatment, he succumbed to his injuries on December 18.
The rising violence has also drawn attention from international actors. On December 17, India’s Ministry of External Affairs summoned Bangladesh’s High Commissioner Riaz Hamidullah, expressing strong concern over the worsening security and law-and-order situation in Bangladesh under the interim government.
The protest in Agartala highlighted the delicate nature of cross-border relations and the challenges faced by local authorities when international tensions spill into public demonstrations. Officials confirmed the situation remained under control throughout the protest, emphasizing the importance of peaceful expression amid volatile circumstances.
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The Sanatani Hindu Sena leaders reiterated their demand for Dhaka to ensure the protection and safety of minority communities within its borders. They stressed that the plight of minorities is not merely a domestic issue for Bangladesh but a regional concern requiring immediate attention.
As Tripura activists continue to press for justice, the international community watches closely. The recent incidents underscore the urgent need for stronger safeguards and accountability mechanisms to prevent religious violence and uphold minority rights in Bangladesh.
