Dhaka

Hindu student groups in Bangladesh have announced a large-scale protest in Dhaka on Friday, alleging that a recent act of desecration involving a statue of Lord Ram has hurt religious sentiments and demanding action against those responsible.

The demonstration follows a torchlight procession held at the University of Dhaka on Tuesday, during which protesters issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the government to take action over the incident. Student leaders said a larger rally will be organised at Shahbagh in the capital after the deadline expires.

According to the protesters, a group of individuals allegedly placed a shoe on a statue of Lord Ram, an act they described as disrespectful to the Hindu faith.

Speaking on the issue, Novelty Roy Uday, a leader of the Bangladesh Student Unity Council and an affiliate of the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, said the incident had deeply hurt members of the Hindu community. He also expressed concern about the future of religious minorities in the country.

Another point of contention has been the suspension of work on a proposed 81-foot statue of Lord Ram in Palashbari, located in the northern district of Gaibandha. Hindu organisations claim the project was halted following threats and opposition from radical Islamist groups.

Sushmita Kar, a spokesperson for the Minority Rights Movement, alleged that hostility and inflammatory rhetoric accompanied protests against the statue project. She said organisers had not received any official response from authorities despite their ultimatum and would therefore proceed with a larger protest on Friday.

Student activists said demonstrations initially began at Jagannath University before spreading to other educational institutions. Arghya Shreshtho Das, president of the Bangladesh Student Unity Council's Jagannath University unit, described the movement as a broader campaign linked not only to religious concerns but also to issues of dignity and rights.

Ahead of the Shahbagh protest, another Hindu organisation, the Bangladesh National Hindu Grand Alliance, is scheduled to hold a press conference in Dhaka on Friday. The group plans to raise concerns regarding the situation of religious minorities and seek long-term measures to address their grievances.

In addition, members of the Hindu Mahajote are expected to form a human chain outside the National Press Club in Dhaka on Friday morning to protest against the Gaibandha controversy.

The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council has also announced a separate protest programme on Saturday over the same issue.

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The developments come amid growing concerns voiced by several minority organisations regarding alleged attacks on religious sites, obstruction of temple construction, and other issues affecting minority communities in Bangladesh. Authorities have not yet publicly responded to the protesters' demands.