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Just Earth News | @justearthnews | 10 May 2018
London: A recent rally laced with anti-Hindu chants by members of the UK chapter of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) have riled activists, who have hit the streets in London accusing the former of meddling with peace in the South Asian community and inciting violence.
The saga unfolded after BNP members recently held a rally in London, which featured Islamist hardliners.
The Islamists were heard using the popular Hindu chant 'Hare Krishna Kare Rama' in a derogatory manner, all the while using cymbals and drums to mimic the followers of the Vedic faith.
The rally was carried out to celebrate Bangladesh’s advancement from a Least Developed Country (LDC) to a Developing Country and had participation from Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and far-right Jamaat-i-Islami Party (JI)
Condemning the act, Pushpita Gupta, President of the Secular Bangladesh Movement, UK, said: "This not only has hurt the religious sentiment of the Hindu community in the UK but also encourages the religious bigots in Bangladesh to attack members of other religions. In the past whenever BNP and JI have come to power, they have attacked religious minorities and have caused havoc to their lives and properties."
In a joint statement, Gupta and Jasmin Chowdhury, General Secretary of the UK-based group, said: "Politicians from all parties in Bangladesh and those that represent our country need to understand and accept that their behaviour and activities affects us all. There is nothing more regrettable than seeing the sacrifices of our freedom fighters as well as the achievements and reputation of Bangladesh and Bangladeshis being tarnished by some people for political hostility and agendas. We strongly condemn this kind of behaviour from any political party and anyone who claims to be fighting for a free, fair and democratic Bangladesh."
The group has also called out M A Malique, President for UK BNP and has said that despite asking for his unconditional apology, the latter has failed to do so.
"Secular Bangladesh Movement UK would like to remind MR. M. A. Malik that this is an extremely serious matter. We would like to take this opportunity to urge him to issue an unreserved and unconditional apology by Thursday 2nd May 2018 otherwise we will be compelled to take further actions," an earlier statement from Secular Bangladesh Movement UK read.
According to recent reports, SBMUK has handed a petition to the police headquarters.