Kishtwar today observed a complete bandh and massive protest following a call given by the Sanatan Dharam Sabha (SDS), Kishtwar, against the alleged targeted killing of Hindus and selective attacks on their properties in Bangladesh.
The protest witnessed participation from leaders of various social, religious and political organisations, including Leader of Opposition and MLA Padder–Nagseni, Sunil Sharma.
Following the bandh call, most shops remained closed till around 1:00 PM, while vehicular movement was partially affected in several areas of the town.
Since early morning, protesters gathered at Kokila Chowk, raising anti-Bangladesh and anti-Yunus slogans. The demonstrators staged a dharna and also burnt tyres, leading to temporary disruption of traffic in the area.
Addressing the protesters, President Sanatan Dharam Sabha (SDS), Kishtwar, Mahant Ram Saran Dass, along with LoP Sunil Sharma and other leaders, expressed serious concern over the recent developments in Bangladesh. They alleged incidents of mob lynching and brutal killings of Hindus, terming them deeply disturbing.
The speakers particularly referred to the lynching of Hindu worker Dipu Chandra Das in Bangladesh, stating that the incident has sent shockwaves across the region.
“We want to convey that every Hindu and every Sanatani of this region stands firmly with our Hindu brothers in Bangladesh, who are facing attacks and violence,” Sunil Sharma told media persons during the protest.
The dharna concluded with the burning of an effigy of Bangladesh’s Chief Advisor, Muhammad Yunus. Later, a memorandum addressed to the Government of India was submitted to the District Administration, urging the Ministry of External Affairs to intervene immediately and take steps to ensure the safety and protection of minority Hindus in Bangladesh.
