Hindu Mahasabha Protests in Kolkata Against Bangladesh's Treatment of Minorities, Boycotts Bangladeshi Products

Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, December 6, 2024, Kolkata  :  In a strongly worded protest against recent incidents in Bangladesh, the Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha, one of India’s oldest political organizations, has demanded a social boycott of Bangladeshi nationals seeking medical treatment in India. The protest, led by the State President Dr. Chandrachud Goswami, took place in various parts of Kolkata today, where protesters engaged in symbolic acts of defiance, including buying Bangladeshi products from local shops, spreading them across streets, burning them, and feeding them to dogs. The protest was aimed at sending a powerful message condemning the alleged mistreatment of Hindus and moderate Muslims in Bangladesh, as well as the desecration of the Indian national flag in the neighboring country.

The Mahasabha’s protest, which unfolded in areas like Maniktala More, Girish Park Crossing, and near the Calcutta High Court, also involved the distribution of leaflets urging the public to boycott all Bangladeshi products and promote indigenous goods. Dr. Goswami, in his statement, criticized the Bangladesh government's actions, particularly highlighting the killing of Hindus and moderate Muslims, wrongful arrests, and the recent attacks on activists like Chinmayakrishna Prabhu. He also expressed outrage over the reported deaths of two lawyers in Bangladesh who supported Prabhu.

“The Indian soldiers' sacrifice is what made Bangladesh an independent nation. Their flag, with the rising sun in dark red, is symbolic of the blood shed by our soldiers. Bangladesh must understand that there is no forgiveness for such atrocities. While we are not generalizing the intentions of all Bangladeshis who come here for treatment, we refuse to remain passive in the face of these heinous crimes,” Dr. Goswami said during the protest.

The protest was framed as a message not only against Bangladesh’s alleged barbaric acts but also against the inaction from the international community. Goswami further emphasized that while India’s doors are open for medical assistance, it is not India’s responsibility to differentiate between moderate Muslims and terrorist fundamentalists seeking treatment. He called upon the central government to consider sending peacekeepers to Bangladesh if the atrocities do not stop immediately, echoing the appeal made by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Pragya Bharti, the convener of the Hindu Mahasabha’s women’s wing, added her voice to the protest, stating, “They killed our brothers, so we will punish them for their sins by killing them with rice.” Bharti reaffirmed the Mahasabha’s commitment to boycotting Bangladeshi products and emphasizing local handicrafts and cottage industries, as a show of solidarity with the victims of violence in Bangladesh. Anamika Mondal, the Mahasabha’s office secretary, condemned the abuse of women and children in Bangladesh, calling it a "shame for all of humanity."

Legal advisor Advocate Dinesh Pani, speaking on behalf of the Mahasabha’s legal cell, stated that the organization is preparing to file a case against the Bangladesh government in the International Court of Justice, citing violations of human rights and the breakdown of legal systems in the country. "The brutality being carried out in Bangladesh is beyond the scope of even medieval barbarism," he remarked.

The protest in Kolkata was marked by participation from several key members of the Hindu Mahasabha, including Anamika Mondal, Pragya Bharti, Sayak Bose, Shashi Agarwal, Sarita Sanganeria, and Advocate Dinesh Pani, who led various actions across the city. The Mahasabha’s call for a boycott of Bangladeshi products and its focus on promoting indigenous goods has sparked considerable debate on social media and within political circles, raising questions about the broader impact of the protest on India-Bangladesh relations and on the local economy.

As the protest concluded, Dr. Goswami reiterated his demand for action, asserting that the government of Bangladesh must be held accountable for its treatment of minorities and its alleged crimes against humanity. The Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha, with this protest, aims to draw global attention to what it calls the ongoing oppression in Bangladesh and the failure of the international community to act decisively.