Chennai: Members of the Hindu Makkal Katchi (HMK) staged a protest in Chennai on Thursday, calling for the cancellation of the ongoing India-Bangladesh Test series. The protest was led by HMK chief Arjun Sampath, who urged the Indian government and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to halt the series in light of recent violence against the Hindu minority community in Bangladesh.
The demonstrators gathered in front of the MA Chidambaram Stadium, raising slogans to draw attention to the alleged persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh. Sampath claimed that the Hindu population in Bangladesh has decreased significantly from 26% in 1971, when the country gained independence, to around 7% today. He attributed this decline to alleged acts of violence and oppression, including the destruction of temples and attacks on Hindu women.
“Thousands of Hindus have been rendered homeless and hundreds have been killed in Bangladesh. We urge the immediate intervention of the International Cricket Council (ICC) to stop this game,” Sampath told reporters.
Protest Coincides with First Test Match:
The protest coincided with the first Test match of the two-match India-Bangladesh series, which began in Chennai as part of the World Test Championship (WTC). India, currently leading the WTC table, is facing a packed Test season with upcoming home games against New Zealand and a major series against Australia later this year. Bangladesh, who recently won a series against Pakistan, sits in fourth place in the WTC rankings.
Despite the cricketing significance, the HMK protesters insisted on stopping the series to highlight the plight of Bangladeshi Hindus. Concerns about attacks on the Hindu community in Bangladesh have been rising, particularly following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led government. Last month, thousands of Hindus protested in Dhaka and Chattogram, demanding protection. The Bangladesh National Hindu Grand Alliance reported that the community faced attacks in 278 locations across 48 districts since August.
Shiv Sena (UBT) Criticizes Central Government:
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray questioned the Indian government’s stance on allowing the Bangladesh cricket team to tour India amid reports of violence against Hindus in Bangladesh. In a social media post, Thackeray called on the Ministry of External Affairs to clarify the situation.
“I wonder why those who have actively campaigned against this violence don’t speak to the BCCI and ask questions? Or is it only about creating hate in India and election propaganda?” Thackeray wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
He further questioned, “If Hindus and other minorities have indeed faced violence, why is the BJP-led Government of India going easy on the BCCI and allowing the tour to proceed? If not, then why are these stories circulating on social media and the news?”
Background and Impact:
The India-Bangladesh Test series is part of the World Test Championship, with crucial points at stake for both teams. The protest by HMK and the political reactions indicate a growing intersection between sports and socio-political issues in the region.
The BCCI and ICC have yet to respond to the demands for the series’ cancellation. Meanwhile, the series continues, drawing attention not only for its sporting significance but also for the controversies surrounding it.
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