Over 20,000 Buddhist devotees rally against violence in Bangladesh

The Arunachal Pradesh Bhikkhu Sangha, along with over 20,000 Buddhist devotees, held a peaceful protest rally in Namsai on Friday. The demonstration marched from Poi Pee Mau ground to the District Secretariat office, condemning the ongoing atrocities against the Buddhist community in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) of Bangladesh.

Participants rallied against the recent violence in regions such as Khagrachari, Rangamati, and Bandarban, where more than 1,000 homes and businesses have been destroyed, along with multiple vandalized Buddhist temples. The crowd chanted slogans denouncing the brutal attacks on the Chakma and other minority communities by extremist groups.

Ven. Dhammakitti Mahathero, president of the Arunachal Pradesh Bhikkhu Sangha, expressed deep concern over the escalating violence following the recent political upheaval in Bangladesh. “It is unfortunate that after the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government, peace-loving Buddhist communities have been brutally targeted, with many murdered and injured, while their properties have been set ablaze,” he stated.

General Secretary Bhikkhu Ratnadeepa highlighted the peaceful nature of the Buddhist community, noting, “We never harm any living organisms; yet, our people are being attacked without provocation by Bangladeshi hardliners.”

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