Protests have erupted across Assam, India, in response to alleged attacks on minorities in Bangladesh. These demonstrations, organized by various student bodies, socio-religious organizations, and community groups, reflect widespread public outrage over the reported persecution of Hindus and other minorities in the neighboring country.
The immediate trigger for the protests was the killing of Dipu Chandra Das, a 27-year-old Hindu garment worker, in Mymensingh, Bangladesh. Reports indicate that Das was brutally tortured and set ablaze after accusations of blasphemy. This incident has amplified concerns about religious intolerance and the safety of minorities in Bangladesh.
In Lakhimpur, activists from the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) organized a public protest, condemning the "inhuman and systematic attacks" on Hindus. They emphasized the need for international intervention, describing the situation as a humanitarian crisis. Similar demonstrations took place in Dhubri, where members of the Bengali Yuva Manch and Sanatan Samaj burned an effigy of Muhammad Yunus, the Chief Adviser of Bangladesh's interim government, and called for a boycott of Bangladeshi products. Protesters urged the Indian government to adopt a firm diplomatic stance to ensure the safety of minorities.
In Kokrajhar, members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal also staged protests, burning another effigy of Muhammad Yunus and demanding an end to the violence. Nirmalya Paul, Vice President of the Dhubri district BJP, described the situation as "unacceptable," alleging the interim government in Bangladesh had failed to protect its minorities.
The Bengali Parishad, Assam Margherita Regional Committee, organized a protest in Margherita, Tinsukia district, condemning the killing of Dipu Chandra Das and demanding protection for minorities in Bangladesh. In Jagiroad, a protest organized by the Morigaon District Committee of Bangali Parishad, Assam, involved a procession and the burning of an effigy of Muhammad Yunus. Protests were also reported in Lanka and Bijni, with demonstrators calling for justice for Dipu Chandra Das and an end to religious persecution.
Even members of the Muslim community in Assam's Sivasagar district participated in the protests. Organized by the Central Committee of the Ujoni Axom Muslim Kalyan Parishad (UAMKP), these protesters condemned the killing of Dipu Chandra Das and raised slogans against religious fundamentalism and violence. They accused the Bangladeshi establishment of supporting terrorist elements and demanded action against extremist groups. Monirul Islam Bora, President of the Central Committee of UAMKP, stated that the killing of Dipu Das had damaged the global image of Islam and alleged that extremist forces were using the situation to spread instability in Assam and the northeastern region.
In Silchar, the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) led a march and burned an effigy of Muhammad Yunus, with BJYM Cachar district president Kuldeep Choudhury stating that violence against Hindus in Bangladesh had intensified. The Barak Upatyaka Banga Sahitya O Sanskriti Sammelan voiced concerns over the deterioration of law and order in Bangladesh and the rise of anti-India rhetoric.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has expressed concern for the religious minorities in Bangladesh, stating that the Indian government is taking diplomatic steps to ensure their safety. Authorities across Assam's border districts are on high alert to prevent any law-and-order situation. Protesters have also submitted memorandums to the Interim Government of Bangladesh through the Assistant High Commission of Bangladesh in Guwahati, calling for an end to the persecution of minorities.
