Human chain demands end to attack on minorities in India

A human chain formed in front of the National Press Club in the capital on Friday demanded an end to attacks on Christians and other religious minorities in India and sought justice for the victims.

The human chain was organised by the Bangladesh Christian Association protesting the recent attacks on churches and members of the Christian community in the Indian state of West Bengal.

 Participants in the human chain condemned violence against religious minorities and displayed placards carrying messages against communal attacks.
Association President Nirmal Rozario urged the Indian government to conduct an impartial investigation into the incidents and ensure that the responsible attackers are brought to justice.

He also called on the Bangladesh government to formally convey its concerns to the Indian High Commission in Dhaka so that the issue is communicated to the Indian authorities.

Monindra Kumar Nath, Joint General Secretary of the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, denounced the attacks on Christians in India as well as violence against minorities in Bangladesh. He said communal extremism and religious persecution are unacceptable anywhere in the world.

Expressing solidarity with the programme, Revolutionary Workers Party General Secretary Saiful Haque voiced concern over what he described as a rise in communal violence in West Bengal and urged the Bangladesh government to register an official protest over attacks on churches and Christian religious symbols.

BNP leader Abed Raja also joined the demonstration and said the attacks on minority places of worship undermine religious harmony and should be condemned regardless of where they occur.

Ramna Cathedral Church Parish Priest Father Albert T. Rozario said the attacks on churches and the desecration of Christian religious symbols have deeply hurt the Christian community. Leaders of several Christian and indigenous organisations also attended the programme and reiterated their call for protecting the rights and security of religious minorities.