A group of Dhaka University students have joined forces with demonstrating religious groups to block the Shahbagh intersection in Dhaka to protest recent attacks on the temples, puja venues and homes of the Hindu community across Bangladesh.
Several hundred students took up positions at the intersection around 10:30 am on Monday, joining a group under the banner of ISKCON at Swamibag Ashram.
The protest has led to heavy traffic congestion in Paltan, the Science Laboratory area, Bangla Motor, and the road leading to the TSC, reports bdnews24.com.
Students from Jagannath Hall and other dormitories gathered at Dhaka University’s TSC before marching to the Shahbagh intersection.
In addition to protesting the communal attacks, the students were also chanting slogans to demand that the attackers be identified, brought to justice and punished in a public manner.
They also called for the formation of a separate ministry to handle affairs related to minority groups.
Bangladesh has seen communal tensions ignited in the past few days after allegations that the Quran had been ‘dishonoured’ at a Hindu temple during Durga Puja sparked violence in several districts.
At least six people have been killed during attacks in Chandpur, Chattogram, Noakhali, Feni and other areas.
Despite the deployment of additional security personnel, 29 homes belonging to the Hindu community were burned in Rangpur’s Pirgonj on Sunday night after a local Hindu youth was accused of making a Facebook post allegedly ‘blasphemous to religion’.