BJP, Trinamool, others protest in Kolkata against attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh

BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, accompanied by other BJP MLAs, led a rally to the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission. For the past two days, he has been demanding the bail of Chinmoy Das.

In Short

• Suvendu Adhikari leads BJP march in Kolkata
• Congress also takes out march against violence in Bangladesh
• Trinamool MP Abhishek Banerjee condemns attacks on Hindus

Amid the recent clashes in Bangladesh following the arrest of Hindu religious leader Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahamchari, major political parties in West Bengal have expressed concerns over the rampant violence against the minorities, especially Hindus in the neighbouring country.

Political bigwigs including the BJP, the Congress, and the Trinamool Congress have all unequivocally slammed the violence and called for immediate peace.

Being at the forefront of the agitation, the BJP, led by senior party leader Suvendu Adhikari, staged protest marches at three different locations in Kolkata.

Adhikari, accompanied by other BJP MLAs, led a rally to the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission. For the past two days, he has been demanding the bail of Chinmoy Das.

Chinmoy Krishna Das was arrested from the Dhaka International Airport by the Detective Branch of the Dhaka Police on Monday in connection with a sedition case filed a month ago.

A day later, a lawyer was killed during clashes between the security personnel and followers of Hindu community leader Das, who was denied bail and sent to jail by a Bangladesh court.

After meeting the officials of the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission, Suvendu Adhikari said, "We will keep our protests on. Tomorrow, Hindu Jagran Manch will hold a protest. On Monday, Hindus will protest at Petrapole. We will support".

He also stated that trade with Bangladesh should be stopped until attacks on Hindus stop.

"Stop import-export if attacks on Hindus don't stop. A leader who is a member of (Muhammad) Yunus govt is saying such things about India. Why don’t they go to Karachi and Lahore for medical treatment then? Why is the entire Opposition and Mamata silent on this? Bangladeshi Hindus will stay in Bangladesh, and they will have to be given protection by their government," he added.

Meanwhile, the Congress also led a demonstration march protesting against the attack on Hindus in Bangladesh.

Also, Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee also condemned the attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh. "What has happened cannot be supported, it is condemnable. It is an international issue, as a party, our stand is clear, that we support the government of India’s stand on this issue," Banerjee said.

Hindus in Bangladesh have faced attacks by violent mobs in Bangladesh since former Prime Minister Shiekh Hasina resigned and fled the country on August 5. Violent clashes started in Bangladesh after Hindu monk Das was arrested for sedition.

The Indian government has condemned attacks on minorities, especially Hindus, in Bangladesh and called on their government to put a stop to this. However, the Yunus administration has hit back at India and has done little to ensure the safety of minorities in Bangladesh.