Bangladeshi Hindus protesting in front of the Jamuna State Guest House, the official residence of new interim leader and Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, were manhandled by the army personnel protecting the premises. The protestors, comprising women and children in large number, were demanding the early return of their relatives, who remained missing since the targeted violence erupted after August 5, the day of former PM Sheikh Hasina's ouster.
In the video, the women and children, reportedly of the minority Hindu community, were seen carrying photographs of their missing family members and raising slogans, demanding justice for them. While the protestors could be seen peacefully gathering, the Army officials could be seen pushing them back from the site.
This comes as minorities in Bangladesh face targeted violence by the fundamentalist forces. Many Hindu and Christian community members were killed and others remain missing following the attacks on their houses, businesses and places of worship.
Notably, Bangladesh witnessed a historic yet forced transfer of power after deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned from the post following two months of civil unrest. Hasina left Bangladesh in a bid to save her life from the mob on August 5 and landed in India.
Earlier today, the chief advisor to the interim Bangladesh government, Yunus visited the revered Dhakeshwari Temple in Dhaka in a bid to reach out to the minority Hindu community facing the brunt of ongoing unrest.
"We are one family. We want to build a Bangladesh that is united. There is no question of any discrimination based on religion. Our only identity is that of a Bangladeshi," Yunus stated.
Meanwhile, thousands of Hindus took to the streets of Dhaka and Chattagram over the weekend, demanding justice and protection. The protestors were demanding fast-track tribunals to try the accused behind the attacks on minorities and 10 per cent of seats in the country's parliament.