The newly formed non-political group, ‘Forum for Protection of Minorities in Bangladesh,’ organized a procession in Agartala on Sunday.
The rally was held to voice strong opposition to the recent violence and oppression faced by minority communities in Bangladesh, including Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, and indigenous groups.
The forum expressed grave concern over the escalating violence after the ouster of Sheikh Hasina following the anti-quota movement in Bangladesh.
The situation has now spiraled into targeted attacks against minorities. According to the Forum, this movement in Bangladesh has severely impacted the minorities communities, who are increasingly becoming victims of religious persecution.
The Forum alleged many homes and businesses owned by minority communities in Bangladesh were set ablaze, while women have been subjected to horrific atrocities. In some extreme cases, individuals were reportedly coerced into converting to another religion against their will.
The Forum emphasized the alarming shift in the anti-quota movement, which it claimed has been co-opted by Muslim fundamentalist militants, turning it into a broader campaign of persecution against non-Muslim minorities.
This connection, the forum argues, has led to an intensification of the violence and oppression faced by minority communities in Bangladesh.
In response to these disturbing developments, the organization has vowed to continue its movement until the persecution of minorities in Bangladesh ceases. The Forum has plans to expand its protests on a nationwide scale in India, mobilizing support to amplify the voices of those affected.
Speaking to reporters, the president of the Forum and senior journalist Subal Kumar Dey detailed the plans being taken to raise a strong voice in solidarity with Bangladesh’s minority populations.
Dey revealed the Forum has drafted two memorandums that will be submitted to the relevant authorities in the coming days, urging them to take immediate action to stop the atrocities.
He also accused the Bangladesh government of complicity, alleging that it has failed to curb the influence of terror groups responsible for the violence.
Dey issued a stern warning on behalf of the Forum, saying that if their demands are not addressed, they will intensify their efforts to rally public opinion and organize large-scale protests across India.
Sunday’s procession drew participants from various professional backgrounds, including intellectuals, journalists, lawyers, cultural activists, doctors, teachers, and professors. The widespread involvement of people from different sectors demonstrated the broad support for the forum’s cause.
In a strong show of solidarity, people from various regions of Tripura—such as Gandacherra, Kanchanpur, Mohanpur, and Simna—traveled to Agartala to join the rally. Their participation underscored the unity in standing up for the rights of oppressed minorities.
The rally began in front of the Agartala Press Club with the national anthems of both India and Bangladesh being played.
The silent procession then moved through several key locations in the city, culminating at Rabindra Satabarshiki Bhavan, where the gathering concluded with calls for justice and peace for the persecuted minorities in Bangladesh.
(Tripura, Tripura News)