Thousands of Hindus took to the streets in Dhaka and Chattogram on Friday, calling for immediate action against recent attacks on their community. This wave of protests followed the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5. Braving the rain, the demonstrators marched with placards listing eight key demands, including the swift punishment of attackers through a fast-track tribunal. The protests came just two days after Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus urged for the maintenance of religious harmony in a televised address.

In Chattogram, the protestors advocated for the creation of a separate ministry for minority affairs and reserved seats for minorities in government institutions. They also demanded a meeting with the student protest leaders, who had played a role in Hasina's government’s downfall, within 15 days. The protestors made it clear they would not disperse until their demands were met, which included compensation and rehabilitation for those affected by the violence.

The Chattogram protests were held in the Jamal Khan area starting at 3 p.m. Protestors expressed their resolve to remain in Bangladesh and voiced their frustrations over media coverage, accusing mainstream outlets of ignoring their plight. One protestor highlighted the reports by Prothom Alo about the attacks on minorities, calling on authorities to address these concerns.

In Dhaka, protestors gathered at the Shahbag intersection around 4:30 p.m., causing significant traffic disruptions. The demonstration, organized by the Sanatani Odhikar Andolan, a coalition of Hindu organizations, was closely monitored by security forces.

Additionally, the Paris-based human rights group Justice Makers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expressed grave concern over the attacks on minorities. JMBF condemned the destruction of homes, businesses, and places of worship as serious human rights violations.

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