13 November 2026 – Dhaka: A human chain, protest rally and torch procession were held in Shahbagh, Dhaka, on Friday to protest attacks and vandalism targeting shrines and temples, mob violence and extrajudicial killings across Bangladesh.
The protesters demanded the release of Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, a judicial investigation into the killing of Ganapati Chakraborty in Rangpur, and justice for the attack on the Lakshmi Narayan Cotton Mills Temple in Narayanganj. They also called for the implementation of a 10-point set of demands.
The programme was organised by Souhardyer Bangladesh in front of the National Museum in Shahbagh at 4:00 pm on November 13. It began with a human chain and protest rally, followed by a torch procession in support of the demands.
Among those present were Hasan Saha Sureshwari Dipu; Md. Ibrahim Mia of the Bangladesh Supreme Party (BSP); Mahindra Kumar Nath, acting general secretary of the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council; religious leader Pranabananda Maharaj; Advocate Sumon Kumar Roy, founding general secretary of the Bangladesh Sanatan Party; Prantosh Talukdar; Tony Mallick; Subir Kanti Dhar; Kanu Lal Kar; Advocate Tarun Lal Begi; Nupur Halder; Sudipta Pramanik, general secretary of Jagannath Hall; and members of the Sufi community, including Md. Mahathir, Nasir Uddin Chishti and Mushtaq Rajaji. Leaders and representatives of various Sufi, Sunni, Sanatani, social and political organisations also attended.
Participants raised slogans condemning communal attacks, vandalism of religious institutions and mob violence. Their slogans included calls to revive the spirit of the Liberation War, affirm Bengali identity, and oppose attacks on temples and shrines.
Speakers at the rally declared that communal attacks, vandalism of shrines and temples, and mob violence should not be tolerated in Bangladesh. They called on people, regardless of political affiliation or religion, to unite and respond to mob violence through lawful means. They also said there should be no place for extremism and militancy in the country.
The speakers demanded the immediate release of Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, a judicial investigation into the killing of Ganapati Chakraborty in Rangpur, and legal action against those responsible for the attack on the Lakshmi Narayan Cotton Mills Temple in Narayanganj.
They further called for stronger protection of religious and cultural institutions, the enactment of a minority protection law, and the prompt implementation of the 10-point demands raised by Souhardyer Bangladesh.
Emphasising the spirit of the country’s Liberation War, the speakers said Bangladesh belongs to everyone and that the state has a responsibility to ensure the safety, dignity and equal rights of every citizen, irrespective of religion or ethnicity. They urged people to continue a united social movement against communalism, religious hatred and mob violence.
The programme concluded with renewed calls on the government to implement the 10-point demands, prevent attacks on religious and cultural institutions, safeguard citizens’ rights and security, and uphold communal harmony.
