– Announce 8-point demand and long march towards Dhaka.
The Bangladesh Sanatan Jagaran Mancha, a Hindu organization, held a mass rally at Laldighi Field in Chittagong city with an 8-point demand. This rally, held on Friday afternoon, called for further gatherings at the divisional, district, and upazila levels, followed by a long march to Dhaka.
The rally’s chief speaker, Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, the spokesperson for Bangladesh Sanatan Jagaran Mancha and head of the Pundarik Dham, warned that attempts to expel the Hindu community from the country would lead to dire consequences. He mentioned that monks from various temples and ashrams across the country gathered to support the demands of the Hindu community. He emphasized that as oppression on the Sanatanis (Hindus) increases, so will their unity. After similar gatherings across divisions and districts, they plan to march toward Dhaka to press their demands.
The key demands include forming a tribunal to address minority persecution, enacting laws to protect minorities, establishing a Ministry for Minorities, and granting five days of leave during Durga Puja.
The rally was attended by thousands, carrying banners with slogans such as “My land, my mother; I won’t leave this country.” People began arriving from Chittagong city and other districts and upazilas around 2:30 p.m., and by 3 p.m., the field was full, with attendees spilling into the surrounding areas. The streets around Laldighi Field were packed with people carrying banners with various slogans.
Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari further stated, “If anyone tries to live peacefully by ousting us, this land will become like Afghanistan or Syria. No democratic force in Bangladesh can conduct politics through communal actions. We are losing stability because tolerance is disappearing, and respect is eroding.” He highlighted that 93 Hindu officers have recently been dismissed from police service solely because of their minority status, and Hindu students are being identified in certain universities. He also criticized the selective filing of cases, saying that they do not object to legal action against those involved in wrongdoing, but that the targeting of Hindus is unacceptable.
He added, “We still make up 13 percent of this country’s population; we have not been erased. Form youth groups in every area and protect our temples.”
Ravishwarananda Puri Maharaj of Potia Panchariya Tapoban Ashram expressed, “This land is ours, and we will continue this struggle as long as our demands remain unfulfilled.” He announced that a committee was formed to continue this movement, comprised of monks and priests from various temples.
Kalipada Bhattacharya of Kaivalyadham Ashram urged unity within the Sanatani community to implement their 8-point demands. Gopinath Das Brahmachari questioned the recent desecration of idols during the Shashti Puja and attacks during immersions, demanding accountability for these incidents.
The rally was conducted by Gauranga Das Brahmachari and included speeches from other leaders, including Tapanananda Giri Maharaj of Shankar Math and Mission, Leelaraj Gaur Das Brahmachari of ISKCON, Sachidananda Puri Maharaj of Banshkhali Rishidham, and Kalipada Bhattacharya of Kaivalyadham.
