Hindus protest against Bangladesh in Montreal in solidarity with ISKCON

Bangladeshi Hindus in Montreal, Canada organized a protest on Tuesday in solidarity with ISKCON Bangladesh.

Canadian Bangladeshi Hindus urged the government to put pressure on the interim Bangladeshi government to respect the rights of minorities in Bangladesh.

The protesters raised slogans demanding protection of minorities.

“Peace and brotherhood. we want peace. We want justice. We want to end the ongoing violence against minority Hindus and other minority communities in Bangladesh. What is happening? Have you seen?” a member of the Bangladeshi diaspora told ANI.

Speaking to ANI, a protestor said that fundamentalists have been let loose in the country and are taking over institutions.

“So you are asking me what is happening in Bangladesh? Well, on August 5 there was a coup, and the military took power, and they brought in Muhammad Yunus for a smiling face, but they left gangs of Muslim radicals running in the streets, attacking people. To attack people in the courts. They are occupying institutions, educational institutions. So this is not a very pretty situation. They are attacking minority communities; They are also attacking those who were anywhere associated with the Awami League or any other party in their alliance. So it is a military government,” he/she said.

Conservative Party candidate Neil Oberman, who joined the protest, said he/she was not a Bangladeshi but an ally. he/she said that hatred is not acceptable anywhere and that is why he/she is protesting.

“I am here today because hate for any reason is not acceptable anywhere and what you see here today is a strong community. I am not from your community but I am from a community which also suffers as a result of hatred. Hate doesn’t help us and that’s why coming forward, being strong, sending a message that we will not tolerate this is the only message. Whenever I come to any program I say the same thing. What happens to one community also happens to another community. Be strong, stand up and make sure people hear your voice,” he/she said.

The recent arrest of spiritual preacher Chinmoy Krishna Das on alleged treason charges in Bangladesh has sparked widespread protests against the interim government and minorities have accused the government of ignoring them.