The streets of Dhaka had a different colour on Sunday. On the occasion of Ram Navami, the birth anniversary of Lord Vishnu’s seventh incarnation, Shri Ram, the Hindu community took out a grand procession in the capital of Bangladesh. Thousands of people participated in this procession organised under the banner of Bangladesh Rashtriya Hindu Mahajot. Men, women and children—all in traditional attire filled the streets with devotion and enthusiasm. This scene became more special at a time when questions were being raised about the safety of minority Hindus in Bangladesh in recent months.

Ram Navami procession: A message with devotion
The procession started from the historic Ram Sita temple complex in Dhaka and ended at the Jayakali temple square. According to sources, a seminar was also organised in the temple complex before the procession, in which the leaders of the Hindu community gave the message of unity and peace. The responsibility of this huge event was taken by Bangladesh Hindu Youth Alliance and Hindu Student Alliance. A large number of people from Hindu-dominated areas of old Dhaka joined the procession under the leadership of the organization’s president Bidhan Bihari Goswami and general secretary Sushant Kumar Chakraborty.
This procession becomes more important at a time when reports of attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh have drawn the attention of the international community including India. The security of the minority community has remained a sensitive issue since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government in August last year. In such a situation, the peaceful completion of this procession is in itself considered a positive sign.
Modi-Yunus meeting and the question of the safety of Hindus
During the BIMSTEC summit held recently in Thailand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Mohammad Yunus, the chief advisor of the interim government of Bangladesh. In this meeting, Modi expressed deep concern over the safety of Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said after the meeting, “The Prime Minister expressed the expectation of a thorough investigation of the atrocities on Hindus and punishment to the culprits. At the same time, he advised to avoid rhetoric that spoils the atmosphere between the two countries.” The meeting came at a time when the Yunus government was under increasing pressure to ensure the safety of Hindus. India has repeatedly asked Dhaka to take a tough stand on incidents of violence against minorities. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) had also appealed to the central government to intervene on the issue. But is the holding of the Ram Navami procession in Dhaka a sign that the Yunus government has taken India’s concerns seriously?
The story behind the procession
Amid the political turmoil in Bangladesh for the past few months, the question was being raised whether the Ram Navami procession would be allowed this year. The presence of Chinmayakrishna Prabhu, a prominent figure of the Hindu community, in jail has also complicated the situation. Nevertheless, the procession took place on the streets of Dhaka on Sunday without any untoward incident. A local resident said, “For us, this is not just a celebration, but an opportunity to express our identity and rights. There were strong security arrangements from the administration, which is a matter of relief.”
Is the situation changing?

Many people are linking the peaceful conduct of the procession to the Modi-Yunus meeting. Experts believe that due to India’s tough stand and international pressure, the Yunus government has become cautious about the safety of minorities. A political analyst said, “This procession is a message that the Hindu community is still committed to keeping its traditions alive. Also, it was a test for the government, which it seems to be passing for the time being.” However, it would be premature to say that the situation has changed completely. The incidents of attacks on Hindus may have reduced, but the feeling of insecurity within the community still persists. While this procession in Dhaka has raised hopes on one hand, it has also left the question whether this change will be permanent or is just a temporary relief. Way forward The successful conduct of the Ram Navami procession is undoubtedly a positive step, but the issue of the safety of minorities in Bangladesh is not over yet. Both sides will have to take concrete steps to normalize relations between India and Bangladesh. The Modi-Yunus meeting has made a beginning in this direction, but its real impact will be seen only when the Hindu community gets the confidence to live without fear.

For now, this picture of devotion and unity echoing on the streets of Dhaka has brought a ray of hope not only for the Hindus of Bangladesh but also for India. Only time will tell whether this ray will turn into permanent light.