Hundreds of protesters from the British Hindu and Bangladeshi diaspora reportedly gathered at Parliament Square in London on Wednesday to demand urgent intervention against the escalating persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh.
Reportedly organised by groups including the Bengali Hindu Adarsha Sangha (BHAS) UK, INSIGHT UK, and Hindu Council UK, demonstrators braved heavy rain to call on the UK government to leverage its aid and diplomatic influence.
The protest follows a series of violent incidents, including the public lynching of Dipu Das and the arrest of interfaith leader Chinmoy Krishna Das.
While British MPs like Bob Blackman and Priti Patel have raised the “disastrous situation” in the House of Commons, the UK government has condemned all acts of violence but maintained its support for the interim administration as it prepares for national elections scheduled for 12 February 2026.
Nation in Transition
The unrest in Bangladesh intensified following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina’s government in August 2024, leading to a precarious power vacuum and the formation of an interim administration under Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus.
Since then, minority communities have reportedly faced unprecedented levels of communal violence, with houses burned and temples desecrated. Background data from January 2025 revealed that thousands of attacks against religious minorities were recorded during the initial upheaval.
As campaigning for the upcoming national elections officially began on 22 January 2026, the international community remains focused on whether the transition will be truly inclusive or further marginalise minority voices.
Calls for Accountability
During the protest, Hindu Council UK stated that Hindus in Bangladesh are being “killed almost daily on false charges of blasphemy.” These sentiments were echoed in the House of Commons by Conservative MP Bob Blackman, who chair of the APPG for British Hindus, described the situation as “horrified.”
He urged Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper to intervene, especially as a major political party, the Awami League, remains banned from the February 12 polls despite commanding significant support.
Responding for the government, Alan Campbell, Leader of the Commons, affirmed that the UK is “actively engaging with the humanitarian situation” and continues to press the interim government to ensure the safety of all ethnic and religious groups.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
It is deeply troubling to witness the persistent vulnerability of religious minorities in any part of the world, and the reports emerging from Bangladesh require more than just diplomatic words.
At The Logical Indian, we believe that the true strength of a democracy is measured by how it protects its smallest and most vulnerable communities. Violence, whether motivated by religion or politics, is an affront to our shared humanity and an obstacle to regional harmony.
We support the call for peaceful dialogue and immediate accountability for those who incite communal hatred. Positive social change can only begin when a government ensures that every citizen, regardless of their faith, can live without the shadow of fear or discrimination.
