MELBOURNE, 6 August 2024: The dramatic developments that led to the ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and she fleeing Bangladesh has led the Hindus For Human Rights (HFHR) Australia and The Humanism Project (THP) issuing statements expressing the hope the country will have a smooth transition to a secular, democratic government, regardless of religion, caste, or class and protect the minorities in the fast changing political scenario in the country.
The HFHR said, ” We are alarmed by right wing religious extremists using this moment to attack Hindus in Bangladesh, and we are likewise alarmed by reports that Hindu nationalists in India are trying to use this moment to gin up anti-Bengali Islamophobia in neighboring Indian states. We join protest leaders and the government of West Bengal in pushing back against efforts to use these historic protests to gin up communal violence on both sides of the India-Bangladesh border. We are heartened to see Bangladeshis banding together to protect Hindu communities and mandirs.
As Hindus for Human Rights, we advocate for a response grounded in compassion, justice, and the protection of all communities, reflecting our commitment to the principles of diversity and inclusion that are at the core of our spiritual tradition.
…we urge the Bangladeshi government to release the thousands of individuals who were arrested during the protests. While the 200 or so Bangladeshis who have been killed will not be returned to their loved ones, we hope the government will provide reparations to their families. Justice will be realised when the authorities guilty of human rights violations in Bangladesh are held to account, including law enforcement, military, and student organisations.”
It added, ” As Hindus for Human Rights, we advocate for a response grounded in compassion, justice, and the protection of all communities, reflecting our commitment to the principles of diversity and inclusion that are at the core of our spiritual tradition.”
The THP in its statement said, ” In response to Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wazed’s resignation and departure following massive protests, The Humanism Project supports the protesters’ call for a secular, democratic government for all Bangladeshis, regardless of their religion, caste, or class.
We urge the interim government to ensure the protection of people’s rights, including
the rights of religious minorities. Amidst fears that military assisted transition could lead to authoritarian rule, we trust pro-democracy protesters will strive for a secular democracy.
We commend the efforts of Bangladesh’s Muslim community in protecting Hindu places of worship and condemn efforts by India’s Hindu extremists and some sections of the Indian media to incite anti-Bengali-Muslim sentiment.
We urge Bangladesh to release detained protesters, provide compensation to victims’ families, and hold human rights violators accountable.
Our commitment to compassion, justice, and diversity remains unwavering. May Bangladesh achieve the secular, pluralist democracy envisioned when it won its freedom in 1971.”
