Synopsis
On April 23, Bangladesh's far-right Islamist party, Khelafat Majlish, plans a mass march demanding the repeal of the Waqf (Amendment) Act by India's Parliament. The protest highlights concerns over minority rights amid rising attacks on Hindus and Christians in Bangladesh, prompting international scrutiny.Key Takeaways
- Khelafat Majlish plans a protest in Dhaka.
- They demand repeal of the Waqf (Amendment) Act.
- Accusations of minority land encroachment in India.
- Calls for global Muslim solidarity against perceived injustices.
- Concerns over minority attacks in Bangladesh.
Dhaka/New Delhi, April 23 (NationPress) Bangladesh's far-right Islamist group, Khelafat Majlish, plans to hold a mass demonstration and deliver a memorandum to the Indian Embassy in Dhaka on Wednesday, calling for the repeal of the recently enacted Waqf (Amendment) Act by the Indian Parliament.
As reported by local media, Khelafat Majlish leader Maulana Mamunul Haque asserted that Muslim-owned lands in India are being encroached upon, claiming that properties managed by Islamic endowments (Waqf) are being unlawfully acquired for the construction of various structures, including temples.
In a provocative statement, Haque accused India of legitimizing these alleged encroachments through the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025.
"We have already expressed our anger and condemnation of these actions. Muslims across India have protested against this Bill. This legislation fundamentally interferes with the religious laws and rights of Muslims," he stated.
Haque further urged the global Muslim community to voice their concerns against what he termed the "killing of Muslims by the Indian state and interference in their religious affairs."
The announcement of the protest coincides with a period when Bangladesh itself is facing scrutiny over a series of violent attacks against minority communities, including Hindus and Christians, particularly following the removal of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
India has strongly condemned the recent violence in Bangladesh, particularly the abduction and murder of Bhabesh Chandra Roy, a prominent Hindu community leader from northern Bangladesh.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) characterized the incident as part of a troubling trend of persecution against minorities under the interim government.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, in a post on X, stated, "We have noted with distress the abduction and brutal killing of Shri Bhabesh Chandra Roy, a Hindu minority leader in Bangladesh. This murder follows a pattern of systematic persecution of Hindu minorities under the interim administration, while the perpetrators of previous incidents remain unpunished."
"We condemn this incident and once again remind the interim government of its responsibility to protect all minorities, including Hindus, without making excuses or distinctions," he added.
India has previously expressed similar concerns regarding escalating attacks on minority groups in Bangladesh, but Roy's murder has drawn significant attention due to his status in the Hindu community.
The Indian government's response is viewed as a clear indication that it will not remain silent on matters concerning minority rights in the neighboring nation.
The Khelafat Majlish protest plan, seen in India as a politically motivated initiative, has elicited reactions from analysts and officials suggesting it serves as a distraction from the internal human rights issues afflicting Bangladesh, particularly those affecting vulnerable minority populations.
