In a powerful display of solidarity, thousands gathered in Chittagong to protest against the ongoing persecution of minorities in Bangladesh. The large-scale rally was led by representatives of the Bangladesh Sanatan Jagran Manch, with Swami Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, President of Pundarik Dham, delivering a compelling speech.
Addressing the crowd, Swami Chinmoy Krishna Das warned of the dire consequences if the minority Hindu community continued to face oppression. “If they want to evict us from Bangladesh and live in peace, then it will be like Afghanistan or Syria,” he said, drawing parallels to conflict-ridden regions where democratic power is absent and intolerance prevails.
He further added, “There will be no democratic power; there will be a sanctuary of communalism.”
Swami Chinmoy highlighted the distressing issues the Hindu minority currently faces, from attacks on temples to forced resignations of Hindu teachers and dismissals from police services following mass worship events. These incidents, he suggested, were symptoms of growing intolerance and a disregard for the secular ideals Bangladesh was built upon.
The rally witnessed a strong response from the platform, with six allied organisations issuing a “demand certificate” to the government. The certificate calls for immediate action to protect minority rights, enforce religious tolerance, and uphold secular values. The protesters urged the government to address the rising incidents of violence, discrimination, and forced displacements affecting minorities.
With thousands standing united, the event emphasised the importance of coexistence and respect for all religious communities in Bangladesh.
The rally sends a clear message: continued intolerance could transform Bangladesh’s democratic landscape, leading it down a path of division and strife rather than peace and inclusivity.
