Hindu outfit stages protest, seeks ban on India-Bangladesh Test series
Members of the Hindu Makkal Katchi (HMK) staged a protest in Chennai on Thursday, demanding the government and Indian Cricket Council (ICC) call off the India-Bangladesh Test match being played at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chepauk. They alleged that Hindus were targeted in Bangladesh and brutally killed following the unrest in August over the controversial quota scheme that reserved 30% of government jobs for children of independence war veterans.
Protesters allege continued attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh
The protesters claimed that the attacks on Hindus have continued even after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led government and Nobel laureate Mohammad Yunus was appointed to lead an interim government. HMK chief Arjun Sampath stated that the Hindu population in Bangladesh has dramatically decreased from 26% in 1971 to around 7% today. He attributed this decline to alleged violence and oppression faced by the community, including destruction of temples and attacks on Hindu women.
Protest disrupts traffic, coincides with cricket match
According to TOI, the city police had denied the protesters a venue close to the stadium, forcing them to gather near Dams Road instead. This resulted in traffic diversions on Anna Salai, close to Bata Point. A large number of police personnel were deployed, and barricades were set up around the protesters to prevent them from marching toward the stadium.
Protesters demand attention to plight of Bangladeshi Hindus
HMK protesters insisted that the series should be halted to draw attention to the plight of Bangladeshi Hindus. The Bangladesh National Hindu Grand Alliance reported that the Hindu community faced attacks in 278 locations across 48 districts since August. The first Test match is part of the World Test Championship (WTC), with crucial points at stake for both teams. India currently leads the WTC table, while Bangladesh sits in fourth place following a series win against Pakistan.
