Religious groups condemn atrocities
LOTUS Economic Forum (LEF) mobilised civilians to take a stand against the ongoing violence against minority groups, including Hindus and Christians, in Bangladesh that have left hundreds dead.
Marches took place on Saturday in three cities, Cape Town, Pretoria and Durban.
Satish Komal, chairperson of LEF South Africa, said that the marches were well received.
“We sent out a clear message that we will stand against the atrocities that are being perpetrated against minority groups including Hindu and Christian people in Bangladesh. We are grateful for the support that we have received from across all religious groups.”
Komal said that the march was against fundamentalists and extremist elements operating inside Bangladesh and various other countries that are perpetuating ethnic cleansing by murdering, raping and torturing innocent Hindus and other minorities.
“They are destroying the Hindu temples and other places of worship of these communities on an unprecedented scale. Some peace-loving Muslims are themselves too scared to speak out against these atrocities for fear of their own lives.”
Praneal Singh, secretary of the Hindu Unity Forum SA, said they had also written letters to the Bangladesh Embassy and to Ronald Lamola, Minister of International Relations and Co-operation, calling for the violence to stop. Lamola last month said that South Africa had noted political developments in Bangladesh.
“We call for calm and urge the transitional government to pursue peaceful mechanisms as they resolve the political challenges,” he said.
Ela Gandhi, chairperson of Phoenix Settlement Trust, speaking on behalf of the trust and the Gandhi Development Trust, said: “We condemn without reservation all forms of violence and brutality and stand for justice and truth. We call on all those perpetrating such brutality to stop immediately.” Gandhi said that Hindus are as much a part of Bangladesh as are other religious groups.