By TC News Desk
Agartala, 29th September 2024: In a significant display of solidarity, over 1,000 residents of Agartala, including intellectuals, journalists, teachers, lawyers, and healthcare professionals, gathered for a massive protest rally on Sunday to voice their concerns over the escalating persecution of minorities in Bangladesh.
The demonstration, organized under the banner of the Forum for Protection of Minorities in Bangladesh, commenced in front of the Agartala Press Club. With Tripura sharing an extensive 856 km international border with Bangladesh, the rally held special relevance for those witnessing the humanitarian crisis unfold nearby.
Subal Kumar Dey, the President of the forum and a veteran journalist, expressed the community’s distress, stating, “The current situation in Bangladesh has spiraled into chaos since the Hasina government’s collapse. We are witnessing unprecedented levels of lawlessness; a ‘jungle raj’ is taking hold, leading to relentless attacks on Hindu minorities.”
Jayanta Bhattacharya, a senior journalist and the President of the Agartala Press Club, emphasized the forum’s commitment to advocating for the rights of minorities. “We have come together as a diverse coalition of citizens—journalists, doctors, lawyers, and businesspeople—united in our deep concern for the plight of minorities in Bangladesh. The recent quota movement has resulted in horrific acts, including the vandalism of temples, attacks on businesses, and even forced conversions of Hindus, which are simply intolerable. Our rally is a powerful protest against these injustices,” he articulated.
Bhattacharya further asserted that the movement would persist until such atrocities cease. The organization has prepared two memorandums, which they intend to submit to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking direct intervention from the Indian government to address these critical issues. A similar memorandum will also be directed to Md. Yunus, the Chief Adviser of the Interim Government of Bangladesh.
Senior journalist and social worker Pranab Sarkar highlighted the urgent need for action, recounting the harrowing experiences of many Hindu families. “Countless Hindus have suffered attacks; homes have been torched, and lives have been lost. There are reports of Hindus being advised not to celebrate Durga Puja. Our protests will continue throughout the city until these grave injustices are addressed,” he stated passionately.
As the rally concluded, the collective voices of the participants echoed a powerful message of hope and resilience, demanding immediate action to protect the rights and dignity of minorities in Bangladesh.
