A Hindu group held a massive protest in Tripura's Agartala on Wednesday in response to the recent attacks on Hindu communities living in Bangladesh.
The demonstration started with a Sankirtan rally held by Sanatani Hindu group that went across the city with devotees, saints, and social workers of different communities joining in to express their anguish and demand justice against the oppression of Hindus in Bangladesh. During their protest, the demonstrators stated that the persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh was unacceptable and that they were prepared to escalate their stand if necessary. Speaking to ANI, Shree Mad Bhakti Kamal Baishnav Maharaj said, "We have initiated a Sankirtan rally from Shri Krishna Chaitanya Math Jagannath Temple as a form of resistance against the persecution of Sanatani Hindus. Our goal is to encourage all those who have been initiated into the Vedic Sanatani religion to lead a life of devotion, chanting the names of the Lord, no matter where they are. We wish for everyone to live in peace and happiness through Sanatan Dharma, always keeping God in their hearts. Where there is Dharma, there is victory." In their demands, Baishnav Maharaj urged the Bangladeshi government not to displace the Sanatanis in Bangladesh but to live together in harmony. "Our demand is that Sanatanis in Bangladesh should not be displaced. They have been there for the past 40 years, and now, where will they go? I urge the Bangladesh government not to displace them. I also appeal to everyone to live together in harmony. What will be achieved through so much hatred? Instead, let's all come together, chant the names of Lord Hari, and make our lives truly blessed," he added. Mad Shyam Sundar Das Brahmachari Prabhu also said, "Today, we organised a Sankirtan protest from the Sri Krishna Chaitanya Math, Jagannath Temple, in response to the ongoing attacks on Sanatan Dharmis in Bangladesh. Temples are being vandalised, and our mothers and sisters are being assaulted. We will appeal to the government of Bangladesh to stop these injustices and ensure that no harm comes to Hindus living in the country. Sanatanis have been residing in Bangladesh for a long time, and they have nowhere else to go. We request that no oppression be inflicted upon them, and if such atrocities continue, all Sanatanis will unite for a larger movement. We do not desire violence; that is why we protested today through Sankirtan." Bangladesh is currently experiencing a volatile political situation, after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned on August 5 amid mounting protests. The protests, led mainly by students demanding an end to a quota system for government jobs, evolved into anti-government demonstrations. Meanwhile, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, who was appointed as the chief advisor of the interim government of Bangladesh, visited the historic Dhakeshwari Temple in Dhaka, where he assured the minorities in Bangladesh of their safety and security in the country. "Rights are equal for everyone. We are all one people with one right. Do not make any distinctions among us. Please, assist us. Exercise patience, and later judge -- what we were able to do and not. If we fail, then criticise us," Prof Yunus was quoted as saying by Bangladesh newspaper Daily Star. (ANI)
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