Hindu Mahasabha calls 'bandh' in Gwalior on day of Bangladesh match

The Hindu Mahasabha has announced a shutdown in Gwalior on the day of the first T20 match between Bangladesh and India, scheduled for October 6. 

The announcement comes just two days ahead of the second Test match in Kanpur, raising concerns over potential disruptions.

Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha, a Hindu nationalist party in India, had previously issued threats concerning both the Test match in Kanpur and the T20 match in Gwalior. 

As the matches approach, the group has intensified its activities, prompting authorities to take precautionary measures. The police in Kanpur have already filed FIRs against 20 members of the Mahasabha in response to their disruptive actions, which included a road protest near the Green Park Stadium.

The Hindu Mahasabha claims that their opposition stems from alleged oppression of the Hindu community in Bangladesh following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government on August 5. They argue that hosting cricket matches with Bangladesh should be halted as a form of protest.

Despite these claims, the Indian government has not responded to the Mahasabha's demands. 

In preparation for the Kanpur Test, local police have heightened security, with Assistant Commissioner of Police Harishchandra stating, "We are reviewing the security system and will ensure enough police deployment to manage the situation."

In Gwalior, where the Hindu Mahasabha has called for the bandh, Vice President Jayveer Bharadwaj confirmed that daily essential goods would be exempt from the shutdown. He reiterated their stance, saying, "The Hindu Mahasabha has called for a Gwalior bandh on the day of the match as part of our protest."

Bangladesh is currently touring India for a two-Test and three-match T20I series. India won the first Test in Chennai by 280 runs. The second Test will be held in Kanpur, followed by the T20 matches in Gwalior, Delhi, and Hyderabad.

Previously, Bharadwaj had even threatened to destroy the pitch if the T20 match in Gwalior was not canceled, citing the destruction of Hindu temples in Bangladesh as justification for their protest.

Source: Indian Express