BJP protests at petrapole over Bangladesh Hindu persecution, Suvendu warns of border shutdown

The BJP organized a protest at Petrapole, a major border crossing between India and Bangladesh, in response to the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoykrishna Das in Bangladesh. The protest, conducted under an apolitical banner, was aimed at highlighting the alleged persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh. The arrest of Das has become a focal point for those concerned about the safety and rights of Hindus in the neighboring country, where reports of violence against the Hindu community have surfaced in recent years.

Shuvendu Adhikari, the leader of the opposition in West Bengal and a key figure in the protest, spoke at length about India’s global position, noting that the country is currently leading the G20 and is the fourth-largest economy in the world. He discussed the potential influence of the Hindu community in global political matters, mentioning their role in the U.S. presidential election in 2016, and suggested that the community had a significant impact on the outcome of the election.

Adhikari also raised concerns about India’s border security, referring to the presence of sound cannons along the India-Bangladesh border. He stated that India’s military is prepared to defend the nation’s borders, emphasizing the strength of India's armed forces. Additionally, he discussed the issue of illegal immigration, particularly the presence of Rohingya Muslims in India. Adhikari called for the removal of Rohingya refugees from the country, connecting this issue to concerns about the protection of India's cultural and religious identity.

The protest included references to historical figures such as Harichand Thakur and Guruchand Thakur, leaders of the Matua community, who opposed the Islamization of Bengal in the early 20th century. Adhikari also cited Swami Vivekananda’s speech at the 1893 Parliament of World Religions in Chicago, where Vivekananda famously urged Hindus to proudly identify with their religion. The protest at Petrapole continued with slogans calling for greater protection of the Hindu community in both India and Bangladesh, as well as actions against perceived threats to their religious and cultural identity.