Yesterday (September 13), thousands of people from the Hindu community took to the streets in Chattogram and raised their eight-point demand, including the establishment of a ‘fast track court’ for speedy trial of cases of persecution of minorities.

They demanded, among other things, that the perpetrators be punished promptly and appropriately, that the victims be given adequate compensation and rehabilitation, and that the ‘Minorities Protection Act’ be implemented immediately.

During a rally in Jamal Khan, Hindu leaders of Chattogram region also demanded the creation of a ministry to look after minority affairs, reservation of seats for minorities and asking the student coordinators to sit down with them, giving them 15 days to take action.

Sanatani Hindu leaders said they would not return home until their demands were met, including compensation and rehabilitation of the affected people from August 5.

They also demanded initiatives to upgrade the Hindu Religious Welfare Trust to a ‘Hindu Foundation’ and to elevate the Buddhist and Christian Religious Welfare Trust to a Foundation.

One of the requirements was to draw up a ‘Law for the collection and retention of donated assets’ and to ensure the correct implementation of the ‘Law for the return of acquired assets’.

They sought measures to build prayer rooms for minorities in all government and private universities and colleges and to create prayer rooms in every hostel.

Their demands also included modernising the “Sanskrit and Pali Education Board” and declaring a five-day national holiday during the Sharadiya Durga Puja festival.

In addition, necessary leave may be granted for the main religious festivals of each minority community.

Meanwhile, Paris-based human rights organisation JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) has been “deeply shocked” by the recent wave of violent attacks on minority communities in Bangladesh.

The destruction of homes, businesses and places of worship, particularly those of Hindu, Christian, Ahmadiyya and ethnic minority communities, constitutes a serious violation of human rights and threatens the safety and dignity of these vulnerable populations, the organization said in a statement on Friday.