Attacks on Hindus: Hindutva outfit stages protest against India-Bangladesh test series.

Chennai Protest: Hindu Makkal Katchi Demands Ban on India-Bangladesh Cricket Series Amidst Violence Against Hindus. More Than 50 Members Arrested.  

B Upendran | HENB | Chennai | Sept 19, 2024:: Condemning alleged violence against Hindus in Bangladesh and seeking protection for them, the Hindu Makkal Katchi (HMK) on Thursday staged a protest here urging the Centre and cricket team India to stop the India-Bangladesh test series.

The Hindutva Organisation staged a protest in Chennai today, led by chief Arjun Sampath, demanding protection for Bangladeshi Hindus and calling for a ban on the India-Bangladesh cricket test series ¹. The protesters raised slogans, urging the central government and the United Nations to take action. Sampath highlighted the alarming decline of the Hindu population in Bangladesh, from 26% in 1971 to just 7% today, attributing this to ongoing violence and oppression .

He specifically pointed to the destruction of temples and attacks on Hindu women as examples of the persecution faced by the community. The protest coincides with the first Test match between India and Bangladesh, which began in Chennai today. The HMK’s demands echo concerns about the safety and well-being of Hindus in Bangladesh, seeking international attention and action to address these issues.

“Today, Hindu Makkal Katchi held a demonstration in front of MA Chidambaram Stadium, demanding the immediate cancellation of the cricket match with the Bangladesh team, which is ongoing. While thousands of Hindus have been rendered homeless and hundreds killed in Bangladesh, we urge immediate intervention (of ICC) to stop this game,” Sampath told reporters.

The protest coincides with the first Test match between India and Bangladesh, which started today at the same stadium. The match is currently underway, with India batting at 339/6 . Despite the protest, there’s no indication that the match will be cancelled or postponed.

It indicates that the Government of India as well as the Chennai Police under Tamil Nadu Government are fully providing full arrangements for the match undermining the demands of the protesting Hindu outfits.

The ongoing India-Bangladesh cricket series holds significant importance as part of the World Test Championship (WTC), with vital points on the line for both teams. As the current leader of the WTC table with 68.52 percentage points, India faces a crucial Test season ahead, featuring home matches against New Zealand and a highly anticipated series against Australia later this year.

Bangladesh, fresh off a series win against Pakistan, currently sits in fourth place in the WTC rankings.

Despite the cricketing stakes, the HMK protesters insisted that the series should be stopped to bring attention to the plight of Bangladeshi Hindus.

As per latest inputs, more than 50 Hindu activists along with HMK leader Arjun Sampath have been taken into custody by the Tamil Nadu police for protesting against the India-Bangladesh Cricket Match  outside the MA Chidambaram stadium in Chennai today.

Aditya Thakare of Shiv Sena (UBT) joins chorus against India-Bangladesh cricket series, urges BCCI to ban matches over ongoing Hindu persecution in Bangladesh.
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_Inputs from PTI.