PIOs and Bangladeshi Hindus Stage Rain-Soaked Protest Outside UK Parliament, Urge Government Action
In a powerful display of solidarity, hundreds of Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) and Bangladeshi-origin Hindus braved cold, pouring rain on Wednesday to protest outside the Houses of Parliament in London. The demonstration called on UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the Labour government to take stronger action in condemning what protesters describe as an ongoing genocide of Hindus in Bangladesh.
Political Support and Parliamentary Engagement
Labour MP Luke Murphy from Basingstoke was among those present at the protest. He revealed that he has been contacted by numerous constituents deeply concerned about the persecution and killings of Hindus in Bangladesh. "I have raised this issue with the foreign office and in Parliament," Murphy stated. "The Labour government has been engaged with this issue and will continue to press for a resolution to ensure we protect minorities in Bangladesh and elsewhere."
Former Labour MP Virendra Sharma also addressed the gathering, urging immediate intervention. "I am urging the British government and all those forces who always work for human rights to protect the interests of the minorities in Bangladesh," Sharma emphasized. "They should intervene as quickly as possible so that the killings should be stopped and not be repeated, so they can enjoy freedom of speech and freedom of worship."
Organizers Highlight Alarming Demographic Decline
Alak Chanda, general secretary of the Bangladesh Hindu Association (UK) which organized the protest, presented startling statistics about the shrinking Hindu population in Bangladesh. "In 1947, 30% to 40% of the population of Bangladesh were Hindu and now it is 7%," Chanda revealed. He criticized the current administration, saying, "There is no law and order, no freedom of speech and no human rights in Bangladesh since the interim government came to power."
Chanda directly questioned the UK's response: "We are urging Britain to take action. Why is Britain not pressuring this government?"
Visual Demands and Personal Testimonies
The protest featured a digital van circulating with images depicting what organizers called the Hindu genocide. Protesters carried signs with multiple demands:
- Revocation of the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Muhammad Yunus
- Unconditional release of monk Chinmoy Prabhu
- Protection of temples across Bangladesh
- Justice for Dipu Chandra Das, who was reportedly lynched
Personal stories added emotional weight to the demonstration. Anamika Dev, whose father was murdered by Muslims in Bangladesh in 2004, shared her family's ordeal. "There is no justice for Hindus," she asserted. "My family were all threatened. It is a genocide. We want justice and we want Britain to put pressure on Bangladesh to save Hindus."
Calls for Diplomatic Pressure
Virendra Sharma specifically called for the British government to convey its anger directly to Bangladeshi authorities. "The British government should convey its anger and protest to the Bangladesh high commission in London that this will not be tolerated," he insisted. Sharma expressed dissatisfaction with current efforts, stating, "The strongest protest should be from the government of Britain. The British government has not done enough. More can be done."
The protest represents growing international concern about minority rights in Bangladesh, with the diaspora community in the UK taking a leading role in advocating for diplomatic intervention and human rights protections for Hindus in their country of origin.
