Learn about the origins and objectives of Bangladesh Hindu Association (UK).
Bangladesh Hindu Association (UK) was established over 20 years ago as an umbrella organization and common platform for members of the Bengali Hindu community originally from Bangladesh. The organization was founded on the principles of unity, shared cultural identity, and heritage, regardless of differences in opinion or nationality acquired through migration across different countries.
The association’s earliest activities began under the Victim Support and Welfare Group of Sanatan Association, focusing on protesting atrocities against minority Hindus in Bangladesh. To formally submit a petition to the Prime Minister at Downing Street, the registered status of SANATON Association was utilized. Subsequently, Bengali Hindu community members and organizations from cities across the United Kingdom were invited to participate, leading to the formation of the National Committee of Bangladesh Hindu Association (UK) on Sunday, 31 August 2003, at Toynbee Hall, 28 Commercial Street, London E1 6LS. The organization later became widely known as BHA (UK).
The movement officially began on 6 December 2001 with campaigns organized by the Victim Support Welfare Group of Sanatan Association to protest violence against minority Hindus in Bangladesh. On 31 December 2001, a petition was submitted to Prime Minister Tony Blair MP at Downing Street, London SW1, followed by an acknowledgement from the Prime Minister’s Office on 3 January 2002.
On 14 January 2002, invitations were sent to members to form a Probashi Bangladeshi Hindu organization. The first meeting took place on 21 January 2002 at 320 Barking Road, London E13, attended by members including FK Dhar, Proshanta Purokayastha, Subodh Ranjan Sen, Himangshu Goswami, D K Ray, Jadob Majumder, Raneshwar Ray, Mukul Roy, Chiranjit Majumder, Samir Kumar Das, Bidhan Goswami, Sujit Sen, Biswajit Goswami, and BB Goswami.
An Extraordinary General Meeting later resolved to hold the National Committee Meeting on Sunday, 31 August 2003. This meeting was held at Toynbee Hall, London, under the heading “Bangladesh Hindu (Human Rights) Association,” where the organization’s aims and objectives were formally outlined.
Over the years, Bangladesh Hindu Association (UK) has organized and participated in numerous advocacy initiatives, humanitarian support efforts, protests, cultural events, and community welfare activities. These included the 2011 Extraordinary General Meeting of the London Regional Committee, press conferences against atrocities on Hindus in Bangladesh, support campaigns for victims and activists, COVID-19 relief and mental wellness support, multilingual and multifaith community events, demonstrations at the House of Parliament and BBC, meetings with diplomats and officials, and condemnations of communal attacks and violence in Bangladesh.