In Bangladesh, Police arrested two youths in a sedition case filed for allegedly hoisting saffron flag above Bangladesh’s national flag atop Independent Monument in Chattogram last week. The arrestees are Rajesh Chowdhury and Hridoy Dash.
Earlier on Wednesday night, one Firoz Khan, a resident of Chittagong, lodged the case naming 19 people including ISKCON’s Chattogram chapter organising Secretary Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari with Kotwali police station in Chittagong. Moreover, some 15 to 20 people were unnamed in the case.
According to the media reports, the Sanatan Jagaran Mancha organised a massive rally at historic Laldighi Maidan of Chittagong on October 25 calling for the minority rights and security in Bangladesh.
During the rally, some unidentified people allegedly hung the ochre flag atop of the Independent Monument. According to Bangladesh Flag Rules-1972, no other flag or coloured flag can be hoisted atop the national flag, reports United News of Bangladesh (UNB).
ISKCON’s Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, spokesperson for Bangladesh Sanatan Jagaran Mancha, chaired the event which was held after the rally in Chittagong.
The rally also had pressed for the implementation of an 8-point demand including a speedy trial tribunal for cases involving the persecution of minorities, the enactment of a minority protection law, and the formation of a minority affairs ministry.
The rally brought together members of the Hindu community from Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, and the hill districts, who called on the interim government led by Prof Muhammad Yunus to expedite the 8-point demand list.
Speakers at the rally voiced concerns over the continuous persecution faced by the Hindu community over the past 53 years, stressing that justice has not been served for the violence and killings endured by the minority group. They criticized what they called the government’s inaction in prosecuting those responsible for recent attacks on Hindu properties and places of worship, reports UNB.
The rally welcomed the government’s promises to provide compensation and institute reforms to support affected community members, urging timely action. “If the 8-point demands are fulfilled, the Sanatan community will remain forever grateful,” said representatives at the event.
The rally, moderated by Gouranga Das Brahmachari, featured addresses from journalists, lawyers, and teachers across sectors.
Navalsang Parmar (Dhaka)