| 2021 Bangladesh anti-Modi protests | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | 19–29 March 2021 | ||
| Location | |||
| Caused by | Arrival of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Bangladesh during the country's celebrations of its 50th anniversary of its independence. | ||
| Goals | To cancel invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi | ||
| Methods | Demonstrations, stone pelting, rioting | ||
| Resulted in | Riots and protests suppressed[1] | ||
| Parties | |||
| Lead figures | |||
Decentralised leadership | |||
| Casualties and losses | |||
| |||
A series of rallies, demonstrations, and blockades opposing the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi were held in Bangladesh from 19 to 29 March, on the celebration of the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh's independence from Pakistan. Accusing Narendra Modi of committing crimes against humanity during the 2002 Gujarat riots, the protesters agitated against what they alleged were India's anti-Muslim policies and India's interference in Bangladeshi politics.[3][4] Protesters demanded the cancellation of the Bangladesh government's invitation to the Indian Prime Minister. The otherwise peaceful protests turned violent when the protesters were attacked by the supporters of the ruling Awami League party along with a crackdown by the law-enforcement agencies, causing the deaths of several protesters throughout the last week of March 2021 in Bangladesh.[5] Initially launched by progressive student organizations including the Bangladesh Students Union, Bangladesh Sadharon Chhatra Odhikar Songrokkhon Parishad, and the Socialist Students' Front, the demonstrations were later joined by the Islamic group Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh.[6]
The deadly conflict chiefly began when supporters of Awami League tried to stop the protesters from waving their shoes as a sign of discontent to Modi at Baitul Mukarram mosque, Dhaka. This resulted in violent clashes from both sides. After the incident, the violence then spread to several key districts in the country, leading to damages on public properties.[7][8][9]
Amnesty International in a statement criticized the Bangladesh government for using excessive force on the protesters and urged the government to "respect the right to freedom of assembly and protect peaceful protesters", on 26 March 2021.[10] After the killings of its supporters on Friday, Hefazat called the strike protesting the killing of its activists by police, and the attack on them by supporters of the ruling party on Sunday, 28 March. "Police opened fire on our peaceful supporters," the group's organizing secretary Azizula Haque told a rally in Chittagong. "We will not let the blood of our brothers and sisters go in vain."[11] As of now, the clashes resulted in at least 14 people killed and many injured with Brahmanbaria alone accounted for 10 killed.[8]
- ^ "Understanding Bangladesh's most potent religious opposition". The Interpreter. Retrieved 5 April 2021.
- ^ "17 killed, 500 injured in anti-Modi protests: Hefazat". New Age. 28 March 2021. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
- ^ "Bangladesh deploys border guards after deadly anti-Modi protests". YouTube. Al Jazeera. 27 March 2021. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
- ^ "Violent protests spread in Bangladesh after Modi visit". www.aljazeera.com. Al Jazeera. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
- ^ "Bangladesh violence spreads after Modi's visit, attacks on Hindu temples, train". Reuters. Retrieved 5 April 2021.
- ^ Afp (26 March 2021). "4 dead as anti-Modi protests turn violent in Bangladesh". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
- ^ "Four killed in Bangladesh during protests against Modi visit". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
- ^ a b "Three killed in Hefazat mayhem during hartal". Dhaka Tribune. 28 March 2021. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
- ^ "Bangladesh: 4 killed in Chittagong as radicals protest Modi visit, mosque area in Dhaka turns battleground". National Herald. 26 March 2021. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
- ^ "Bangladesh: Authorities must respect right to peaceful protest following bloody crackdowns". Amnesty International. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
- ^ Paul, Ruma; Ghoshal, Devjyot (28 March 2021). "Five killed, dozens injured in anti-Modi protests in Bangladesh". Reuters. Retrieved 28 March 2021.