Agartala: Hundreds of Tripura activists affiliated with the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and other right-wing organizations held a protest rally on Monday in the Kunjaban area, condemning the “unabated attacks” and “religious discrimination” faced by minorities, particularly Hindus, in neighboring Bangladesh.
The protesters also demanded the unconditional release of ex-ISKCON monk Chinmoy Krishna Prabhu, a vocal advocate for Hindu unity in Bangladesh, who was arrested following the regime change in the country.
The protestors handed over a charter of demands to the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission, located a few kilometers from the protest site.
Shankar Roy, Secretary of the VHP’s Tripura chapter, addressed the gathering, saying, “Since the political change of guard in Bangladesh that came into effect on August 5, followed by Sheikh Hasina’s ouster, the minority Hindu community has been enduring a distressing time. Places of worship, business establishments, and individual properties belonging to Hindus are under attack. Angry mobs have been setting fire to businesses at many locations. Amidst these targeted attacks, when Hindus tried to raise their voices, one of the leading Hindu leaders fighting for their rights was arrested on false charges.”
Roy alleged that Chinmoy Krishna Prabhu’s arrest was a deliberate attempt to weaken the growing Hindu unity campaign in Bangladesh. “His arrest came shortly after Hindu organizations began pressing for their eight-point charter of demands, which suggests that the authorities are trying to suppress the Hindu movement. We are demanding his immediate release. Currently, he is being held in a jail in Chittagong,” Roy added.
The protest rally also highlighted the increasing violence against Hindus in Bangladesh, with the delegation urging the Indian government to intervene.
The VHP and other groups called for action to protect Hindus facing what they described as “vengeful attacks” in the neighboring country.
The protesters pledged continued support for the rights and safety of Hindus in Bangladesh and emphasized the importance of international attention on the issue.
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