Jammu

Protests were held in Jammu and Rajouri on Tuesday over the recent lynching of a Hindu man in Bangladesh, with demonstrators urging the Indian government to take decisive steps to protect minorities in the neighbouring country.

Members of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court Bar Association staged a protest in Jammu, condemning what they described as repeated attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh. The lawyers appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to intervene, either by ensuring the safety of Hindus in Bangladesh or facilitating their relocation to India.

Bar Association president Nirmal K. Kotwal said the violence against Hindus across the border was deeply disturbing and required a firm response. “The country stands united behind the Prime Minister and the Home Minister to take strong steps to stop atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh,” he said, adding that India has the capacity to safeguard the community.

The protest also raised demands for the eviction of illegal Bangladeshi and Rohingya immigrants from Jammu, alleging that while Hindus face persecution in Bangladesh, undocumented migrants are being extended facilities in the region.

The demonstrations followed the killing of 25-year-old Dipu Chandra Das, a garment factory worker, who was lynched on December 18 in Baluka area of Mymensingh district over allegations of blasphemy. Police reports said Das was assaulted by a mob, hanged from a tree, and later his body was set on fire near the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway.

Separately, the Shiv Sena Dogra Front held a protest at Rani Park in Jammu, echoing similar concerns. Party president Ashok Gupta condemned the violence and criticised the alleged preferential treatment of illegal immigrants in Jammu.

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In Rajouri district, activists from several Hindu organisations, including the Vishva Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal, staged a demonstration at Panja Chowk. Protesters raised slogans against the Bangladesh interim government and burned an effigy of its chief advisor, Muhammad Yunus, to register their anger over the incident.