By TC News Desk
Agartala, 5th October 2024: In a powerful demonstration against the recent attacks on minorities in Bangladesh, a street meeting was held in Tripura’s capital, Agartala, at the Orient Choumhani area on Saturday. The event followed a protest march organized by the Tripura Left Front Committee. The protest aimed to raise awareness about the increasing violence against minorities in Bangladesh and to call for urgent action from the neighboring country’s interim government.
Former Tripura Chief Minister and Politburo member of the Left Front, Manik Sarkar, addressed the gathering and delivered a strong message on the state of democracy, linking it directly to the treatment of minorities. “The criterion to understand whether there is democracy in a country or state is whether the minority people of that country can enjoy equal rights with the majority and practice their religion freely,” Sarkar said, drawing attention to the crucial role of minority rights in any functioning democracy.
Sarkar further emphasized that democracy falters when minorities are deprived of their basic rights. “If the minorities cannot lead a smooth and peaceful life, democracy does not function properly in that country or state,” he added. The Left Front, in unison with Sarkar’s statements, strongly condemned the recent violent incidents in Bangladesh targeting its minority communities.
The protest also voiced a direct demand to the Bangladesh Interim Government, urging them to take immediate steps to ensure the safety and security of the minority groups. “We demand that the interim government of Bangladesh provide adequate protection to its minority citizens so that they can live with the same dignity and rights as the majority population,” Sarkar asserted, calling for swift action to restore peace and equality.
The protest saw participation from various members of the Left Front, activists, and concerned citizens, who united under a common cause to stand against religious persecution and uphold democratic values across borders.