Some Hindu diaspora groups organised what they called a worldwide demonstration against “Hindu Genocide” in West Bengal last weekend.
NRI Affairs Correspondent
Demonstrators held placards and signs in several cities around the world with slogans like ‘Stop Hindu Genocide’, ‘Mamata Stop Killing Hindus’ and ‘Hindu Lives Matter’, etc.
According to the call for the rally by the organisers, shared via WhatsApp, the objective of the demonstrations was “to create pressure on the Bengal and the Central governments. Also, it would help to create awareness in the sleeping Hindu community about the ongoing atrocities and future threats.”
‘Fake narrative’
Commenting on the Bengal violence, Hindus for Human Rights – an advocacy organisation that seeks to promote the ideals of multi-religious pluralism within the Hindu community, says, ”Unfortunately, West Bengal has long experienced political violence and this cycle appears to be no different. We call upon Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to take swift and decisive action to stop the violence. At the same time, HfHR has found no verifiable reports of attacks targeting Hindus or members of any specific community. On the contrary, AltNews, a noteworthy fact-checking resource, has uncovered several instances where the reports of such violence are false, including doctored videos and photos. While we support calls to end the violence, we ask for an immediate stop to the spread of false and inflammatory claims being posted on social media. The election results in West Bengal were a clear rejection of the BJP’s divisive, sectarian messages. As well-wishers of the people of Bengal- and the people of India – we ask that incidents of violence not be given a false, communal hue. Spreading such falsehoods will only embolden the divisive forces we are trying to defeat. ”
Motika Anand, a social justice activist in Chicago, where the global protest was planned, told NRI Affairs, “The fake news factory established since Narendra Modi became the PM never ceases to amaze. Instead of focusing on governance, it seems this government is hell-bent upon distracting people from the glaring failures of this government.”
“They probably don’t know any better, and amidst the humanitarian crisis that India is going through, once again, they manufactured a fake narrative after a humiliating defeat in WB- Hindu genocide,” said Ms Anand.
Ms Anand said that amidst the giant obituary column that India has become, a selective Indian diaspora living in the comforts of an inclusive society and who would never return to India to live there is busy showcasing their extreme ignorance and pathetic complacency towards brethren back home dying gasping for air and not even finding dignity in death, went on to cry wolf where none exists.
“Shameful is the only word that can describe this protest,” said Ms Anand.
Violence continues
Nearly a week after the West Bengal Assembly poll results were announced, violence continues in different parts of the State and has killed at least 17 people.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has appealed for peace but that seems to have had little effect. The state government has announced compensation for the victims of the violence, and the Union Home Ministry has sent a team to investigate the situation. However, several posts and videos, including some allegedly fake ones, are being shared widely on different social media platforms.
