Reports of rising atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh, following the removal of the Sheikh Hasina government, have ignited protests across India, particularly in West Bengal. The state shares a 2,200 km border with Bangladesh, making the issue particularly sensitive.
Groups like Hindu Jagran Manch have organized protests outside the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata. The organization aims to promote Hindu unity and social harmony, as well as to support victims of “love jihad.” This is not the first time the group has been in the news, as it had previously made headlines with its large-scale Ram Navami processions, sparking concerns about communal unrest.
Meanwhile, new organizations like the Bengal Volunteers are working discreetly to strengthen the Hindu community in the face of growing threats. Inspired by the original Bengal Volunteers, which fought against British rule under the leadership of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, this revival group is focused on the safety and welfare of Hindus in both West Bengal and East Bengal.
They emphasize that protecting the Hindu community is crucial, and their program, Bengal Veer, trains individuals in community security, defensive strategies, and survival tactics, inspired by lessons from past genocides.
These efforts are being supported by several political and social groups, including the RSS and BJP, which criticize the rise in violence and emphasize the need for global solidarity against the ongoing persecution in Bangladesh.
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