SW News: Members of the Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Oikya Parishad, the largest organization for minorities in Muslim-majority Bangladesh, marched from Chattogram to Dhaka on January 7 to personally submit seven demands to the office of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. They were seeking the formation of a national minority committee and minority protection laws for the protection of those belonging to the Hindu and Christian communities.

The petition documented the Awami League government's alleged violations of minority obligations prior to the 2018 national election. The demands included the formation and implementation of the Minorities Protection Act, the Anti-Discrimination Act, the Vested Property Transfer Act, the Intestate Property Conservation Act, a national commission for minorities, a minority land tribunal, and a ministry for minority affairs.

Members of the Parishad also sought the efficient implementation of the 1997 Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord to reduce bloodshed and protect hill people. Father Anthony Sen, convenor of the Justice and Peace Commission of the Dinajpur Catholic Diocese, was quoted by UCA News as stating that the government is hesitant to provide protection for minorities because doing so could anger the majority and result in a loss of votes in the upcoming election.

Catholics, especially in his parish of Queen of Fatima Church in the northern Thakgurgaon area, have land disputes with Muslims, according to the priest. He stated that minorities need a protective law and land commission since Muslims are attempting to grab their land. "The Catholic Church must now assume a strong role in ensuring the security and justice of minorities,” he said.

At the demonstration, the group announced that it would stage a torchlight march on February 24 to all divisional headquarters, and district headquarters in order to accelerate the demand for the fulfilment of the electoral pledges made by the ruling party.

Separately, at a news conference on January 6 in Dhaka, the group reported that 36,317 hectares of mostly Hindu minority communities were confiscated in 2022, 572 homes were evicted, and 445 families were forced to flee inside or outside the nation.

The national census of 2022 revealed that 91% of Bangladesh's 165 million inhabitants are Muslims.