Ottawa, Canada, 17th Sept. Chandra Arya, Member of Parliament of Canada, voiced his deep concern in a parliamentary statement regarding the increasing violence targeting religious minorities in Bangladesh.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Arya said that Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians in Bangladesh have faced major threats amid periods of instability.
Arya pointed out the alarming decrease in the proportion of religious minorities in Bangladesh since its independence in 1971. The share of religious minorities has dropped from 23.1%, including about 20% Hindus, to approximately 9.6%, with Hindus making up around 8.5% of the population.
Canadian Hindus, who have relatives in Bangladesh, are particularly troubled by the safety of their families, temples, and properties. To draw attention to the plight of these communities, they plan to hold a rally on Parliament Hill next Monday, September 23. The rally will also see participation from Canadian Buddhists and Christians with family ties to Bangladesh.
