By Joel Goldenberg
The Suburban

Members of the Montreal Bangladeshi-Canadian Hindu community held an ecumenical march in Côte des Neiges Saturday to protest the persecution of and increasing violence against Hindus in Bangladesh, part of a larger humanitarian crisis. The march included Christians, Buddhists and Jews.

The march took place from Van Horne Park, then along Victoria to the Plamondon Métro station. The protesters say that religious minorities are being persecuted after political upheaval took place in the country Aug. 5, “when former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was forced to leave the country amid strong student protests. The newly formed interim government, supported by radical groups, has unleashed violence on religious minorities, particularly targeting the Hindu community.”

Protest organizers added that “Hindus have faced killings, as well as the looting, burning, and vandalizing of businesses, homes, and temples. Amid the unrest, prominent Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das was jailed on alleged false sedition charges after protesting these injustices.”

Anup Chowdhury, Secretary of Sanatan Dharma Temple and one of the organizers of the rally, said “this is not just about the persecution of Hindus, it is a humanitarian crisis that requires immediate international attention.

“Our community is coming together to raise awareness and demand justice for those who have been silenced. The world cannot stand by as innocent people suffer.”

Marc Perez, a supporter of the event, added, “This is a critical moment to unite for justice and human rights.” n