Guwahati: A strong wave of public outrage swept across several parts of Assam on Monday evening as student bodies, socio-religious organisations, and community groups staged coordinated protests against the alleged persecution of minority Hindus in neighbouring Bangladesh.
The protests were triggered by reports of rising violence, including the killing of a Hindu youth, Dipu Chandra Das, in Mymensingh.
In Lakhimpur town, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), Lakhimpur Nagar Shakha, organised a public protest condemning what it described as “inhuman and systematic attacks” on Hindus in Bangladesh. ABVP activists gathered at a prominent location, raising slogans and holding placards demanding immediate international intervention.
“This is not merely a political issue; it is a humanitarian crisis that demands global attention,” an ABVP functionary said, adding that silence would only embolden extremist forces.
Meanwhile, tensions flared in Dhubri town in the evening as members of the Bengali Yuva Manch and Sanatan Samaj staged a protest at Panchmore. The demonstration culminated in the burning of an effigy of Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of Bangladesh’s interim government. Protesters also called for a boycott of Bangladeshi products and symbolically burnt biscuits and chips.
A protester said that no government can compromise the safety of minorities and urged New Delhi to adopt a firm diplomatic stance.
Reacting to the developments, Nirmalya Paul, Vice President of the Dhubri district BJP, termed the situation “unacceptable” and alleged that the interim government in Bangladesh had failed to protect minorities.
Members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal also held similar protests in Kokrajhar, burnt an effigy of Muhammad Yunus, and raised slogans demanding an end to violence against Hindus.
Nearly a hundred protesters participated, with leaders stating that the international community must take note of the situation.
In Margherita, which falls under Tinsukia district in Upper Assam, the Bengali Parishad, Assam Margherita Regional Committee, organised a protest near the market auto stand, condemning the killing of Dipu Chandra Das and demanding protection for minorities in Bangladesh. The demonstration remained peaceful despite strong slogans and symbolic acts.
Authorities across Assam’s border districts also remained on high alert to prevent any law-and-order situation, as public sentiment continues to run high over developments across the border.