Safety for Hindus: Demonstrations in Shahbagh continue for second day
Members of the Hindu community today (10 August) staged a demonstration in Shahbagh for the second day demanding safety and protesting alleged attacks on their homes and temples in various districts across the country following the fall of the AL government.
Thousands of protesters, including students and members of the Hindu community, blocked the Shahbagh intersection from 3:00pm till 6:30pm.
Their banners read "None of us are free until all of us are free,", "We will not leave this country...#Alleyesonminorities,", "#SaveBangladeshiHindus".
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They were chanting slogans calling on the people, media and authorities to take action.
"I want an answer,", "Wake up, Hindus,", "We want justice," they chanted.
The protesters urged the newly-formed interim government to implement increased security measures for Hindus across the country.
They vowed to continue their protests until immediate measures are taken to end the persecution of Hindus.
Earlier on 9 August, protesters gathered in Shahbagh with a 4-point demand.
Their 4-point demand includes the formation of a ministry for the people of minority communities, establishment of a minority protection commission, formulation and implementation of strict laws to prevent all kinds of attacks against minorities and allocation of 10% parliamentary seats for the minorities.
Today they put an eight-point demand which includes establishing special tribunals to expedite trials for those who have persecuted minorities. The guilty should be swiftly punished, and victims should be adequately compensated, and rehabilitated.
They also demand the enactment of a minority protection law without delay, upgradation of the Hindu Welfare Trust to a Hindu Foundation. Similarly, the Buddhist and Christian welfare trusts should also be upgraded to foundations.
They further want enactment of the "devoted property recovery and protection act" and proper implementation of the "transferred property return act", construction of places of worship for minorities in every educational institution and allocation of prayer rooms in every hostel, modernisation of the "Sanskrit and Pali Education Board."
Their demand also includes granting a 5-day holiday for Durga Puja.
