VHP seeks Hasina's intervention to check 'persecution' of Hindus in Bangladesh

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad Thursday sought the intervention of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to check the alleged persecution of Hindus in that country.

The VHP held a protest rally and submitted a memorandum to Bangladesh Assistant High Commissioner Kiriti Chakma at the Bangladesh mission here.

It expressed concern that the Hindu population has dwindled in Bangladesh from 28 per cent in 1947 to just 8.9 per cent recently.

"It pains us immensely when we see our own brothers and sisters, who have been historically rendered vulnerable for no fault of their own, are persecuted and we are unable to provide any succour just because they are citizens of another country," the memorandum said.

It said that the VHP has undertaken this initiative to request the neighbouring nation's intervention in the matter and take necessary actions to alleviate their misery and distress.

It said though the Bangladesh constitution grants freedom of religion to non-Muslims, there has been a spate of attempts at persecution of minorities specially the Hindu community in the recent past in that country.

"Bangladesh always had a proud history and heritage of communal co-existence of different religious communities, with the Bengali language being the most powerful cohesive force, overriding every other religious, cultural and other ethnic difference," the memorandum said.

"But in recent times there have been widespread reports of purported violence, physical and also otherwise against the Hindu minorities of Bangladesh, which has become a matter of great concern for the citizen of India," it said.

There are reports that Hindu ashrams, temples and other places of worship are often vandalized without any provocation from the community, the VHP memorandum said.

It added that Hindu properties and business establishments are forcibly overtaken or made to surrender under force. "Such instances undoubtedly violate the right to property of the minority community which is against the spirit of the country," it said.

The VHP alleged that Hindu girls and women residing in Bangladesh are sexually harassed by goons and hooligans taking advantage of their vulnerability as minority, and sought proper and tight security for them.