Bangladesh crisis: Muhammad Yunus visits Dhakeshwari temple amid Hindu attacks in Bangladesh: 'Equal rights for everyone'
Yunus's visit to the shrine coincides with attacks against Bangladesh's largest minority group, the Hindus, following the overthrow of the Sheikh Hasina administration.
PTC News Desk: On Tuesday, Muhammad Yunus, the chief advisor of Bangladesh's interim government, visited the Dhakeshwari National Temple in Dhaka amidst a surge of attacks on the Hindu community in the country. His visit comes in the wake of increased violence against minorities following Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's resignation and departure from Bangladesh on August 5.
Yunus's visit to the temple was a gesture of solidarity and a call for unity. He emphasized the principle that "rights are equal for everyone" and urged that distinctions based on religion should not divide the nation.
He stated, "In our democratic aspirations, we should not be seen as Muslims, Hindus, or Buddhists, but as human beings. Our rights should be ensured. The root of all problems lies in the decay of institutional arrangements. That is why such issues arise. Institutional arrangements need to be fixed."
The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council and the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad reported that there have been 205 incidents of attacks on minorities across 52 districts since the fall of the Hasina government. Thousands of Hindus have protested in cities like Dhaka and Chattagram, demanding protection for their temples, homes, and businesses.
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The protesters have called for the establishment of special courts to address minority persecution, reserved parliamentary seats for minorities, and the enactment of a minority protection law.
During his visit, Yunus met with leaders from the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad and the Mahanagar Sarbajanin Puja Committee, as well as temple officials and devotees. He condemned the recent violence as "heinous" and urged the youth to protect all minority communities, including Hindus, Christians, and Buddhists.
In response to Yunus's appointment as interim chief advisor, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed hope for a swift return to normalcy and the assurance of safety and protection for Hindus and all minority communities in Bangladesh.
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