On November 30, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a Hindu nationalist organization, urged the Indian government to take immediate action to “mobilise global support” against the increasing violence against Bangladeshi Hindus and other minorities in the neighbouring country, Bangladesh. The General Secretary of the RSS, Dattatreya Hosabale, described the persecution of Hindus as “horrific.” Slamming the Muhammad Yunus led regime, he charged the Interim government of being a “silent spectator” in allowing the increasing violence against the minority community.
Hosabale also demanded the release of Chinmoy Krishna Das, the Hindu monk and former ISKCON leader, who was detained by the Bangladeshi authorities in unceremonious manner. He was arrested by the Bangladesh Police in Dhaka while on his way to Chattogram.
.@RSSorg condemns atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh, including violence and persecution, and criticizes the Bangladeshi government’s inaction. It demands the release of ISKCON Sanyasi Pujya Shri Chinmoy Krishna Das, arrested during peaceful protests.
RSS urges India and… pic.twitter.com/VPviCJHYzu
— tfipost.com (@tfipost) November 30, 2024
“The attacks, murders, looting, arson, as well as inhuman atrocities by Islamic fundamentalists on Hindus, women, and all other minorities in Bangladesh are extremely worrying, and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh condemns this,” the statement read.
He called for immediately stopping such atrocities and demanded the Indian government to take all efforts to handle the situation. He also urged the diplomatic measures to build pressure from around the world, which should pressure the Bangladesh government to protect religious minorities in Bangladesh.
“All that the Iskcon monk Chinmay Krishna Das was doing was that he was leading Hindus to peaceful protests and out of helplessness, a new phase of injustice and atrocities against the Bangladeshi Hindus is emerging to suppress the voice raised by them through democratic means for self-defense. It is unjust for the Bangladesh government to imprison the Iskcon monk,” the statement added.
The RSS also emphasized the importance of India working alongside the global community and international institutions to stand in solidarity with the victims facing religious persecution in Bangladesh.
“At this critical juncture, it is essential that these entities express support and urge their governments to take all necessary steps to address the situation, as this is vital for global peace and brotherhood,” the statement concluded.
RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat spoke of the plight of Bangladeshi Hindus, referring to unprovoked attacks after the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government after a so-called student uprising. He commended the Hindu minority for their “first-ever” organized resistance against radical forces in Bangladesh.
Thousands of Hindus marched through the streets of Dhaka and Chattogram in August, demanding justice for the violent attacks against members of their community. These have ranged from the vandalism of Hindu temples and attacks on individuals to the razing of properties, fitting into a larger trend of religious persecution targeting Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh.
Apart from the RSS, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), an affiliate of the RSS, also launched a two-day nationwide protest to condemn the atrocities being carried out against religious minorities in Bangladesh.
