Dhaka Peace Rally: A Call for Stop Religious Fighting
What Happened
On Sunday, Oct 18, hundreds of people crashed the streets of Dhaka, demanding an end to the religious clashes that had spread like wildfire for the past four days. At least two people lost their lives and several others were hurt.
Who was involved?
- Hundreds of Muslims in the Noakhali district protested after an alleged blasphemy on Oct 15.
- Two Hindu men tragically died during the tumult.
- Police chief Mohammed Shahidul Islam is still piecing together whether the deaths were caused by the crowd or something else.
- Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan blames the “miscreants” for attacking Hindu temples and homes in Rangpur.
Why It Matters
Hindu minority is about 10 % of Bangladesh’s population, so the attacks hit right at the heart of communal harmony. The country’s top security forces are on high alert, but the situation still feels like the worst unrest since Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League came to power in 2009.
What People Want
At the Dhaka University rally, protestors raised banners with slogans:
- “Identify the attackers! Give them justice!”
- “Safety of minorities is vital! Protect us!”
Official Response
Home Minister Khan said, “No incident has been reported since Saturday night. Our security forces are working patiently based on intelligence information.” Still, the peace campaign is louder.
Bottom Line
Bangladesh is grappling with how to keep the peace between religions. If the current protests can spark a real conversation about safety and justice, it might pull the country out of a dangerous spiral of violence.
