Sanatan Jagran Manch to march towards Dhaka
Published: 26 October 2024, 02:56 PM
The Bangladesh Sanatan Jagran Manch, representing followers of Sanatan Dharma, declared plans for a "long march" toward Dhaka amid challenges faced by the Hindu community
The platform announced the programme holding a large gathering in Chattogram on Friday to voice an eight-point demand. Following upazila-level gatherings across districts, the organisation held the rally at Laldighi Maidan.
The principal of Pundarik principal, Chinmoy Krishna Das Maharaj, announced the long march emphasiszing the movement’s growing unity amid challenges faced by the Hindu community.
“We’ve come together in response to persecution, reflecting Bengal’s cultural spirit since Bangladesh’s independence. We’ll march to Dhaka after district and divisional rallies to advance our demands,” he said.
A 19-member coordinating committee has been established to advance the eight-point demands. Chinmoy Krishna warned, “Attempts to erase our presence here will lead to instability, resembling conflict zones like Afghanistan or Syria. We won’t allow sectarianism to disrupt Bangladesh’s democratic landscape.”
Chinmoy Krishna elaborated on the grievances, citing a rising atmosphere of intolerance: “Communal biases have led to the unjust dismissal of Hindu police officers and discriminatory practices at Chittagong University. Once silenced, these acts are now resurfacing, and we can no longer stay silent.”
He noted a troubling shift in societal respect, pointing to the mistreatment of minority educators.
Additionally, he demanded proportional representation for Hindus in Parliament and denounced current allocations to the Ministry of Religious Affairs, questioning the disparity in resources allocated for religious minorities. “We may even boycott elections if democratic rights are not upheld,” he added.
Other speakers at the rally included Gauranga Das Brahmachari, Patia Pancharya Tapoban Ashram’s Principal Rabishwarananda Puri Maharaj, Kaibalyadham Ashram Maharaja Kalipada Bhattacharya, and ISKCON promoter Leelaraj Gaur Das Brahmachari, who echoed calls for justice and equal rights for the Hindu community.
