BJP And Hindu Groups Rally In Kolkata Advocating For Unity Amid Bangladesh Violence

Amid ongoing political discussions about developments in Bangladesh impacting West Bengal, around 50 Hindu groups, along with senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, convened a rally at Esplanade in Kolkata on Thursday (5 December), calling for "Hindu unity" in the state.

Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, emphasised the need for Hindus in West Bengal to unite, citing examples from other states.

“In Uttar Pradesh, Hindus have united under Yogi Adityanath ji, in Haryana Hindus have united, and now in Maharashtra, the land of Chhatrapati Shivaji, Hindus have united,” Adhikari stated while addressing the gathering at Rani Rashmoni Road.

The rally comes in the wake of protests staged by the BJP across West Bengal following the detention of ISKCON monk Chinmoy Krishna Das in Bangladesh on 25 November.

Adhikari highlighted the problem of assaults on Hindus in Bangladesh, emphasising that the Hindus in West Bengal need to take heed from the neighboring country's cruelties.

He discussed the recent turmoil in certain areas of West Bengal during the festival season, suggesting that just as the Waqf Board protects the concerns of Muslims in India, a dedicated "Sanatan Board" is necessary to secure the rights and interests of Hindus.

The event also saw participation from Kartik Maharaj of the Bharat Sevashram Sangh, who urged all political factions, including the BJP, Trinamool Congress, and CPI(M), to put aside differences and work towards protecting Hindus.

Kartik Maharaj applauded Tripura’s restrictive measures against Bangladeshi nationals and goods, warning that people might block trade routes along the West Bengal-Bangladesh border if trade continues unchecked.

Adhikari, who led a protest at the Petrapole border on 2 December, has announced plans for further demonstrations at the Ghojadanga border post on 10 December.

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