Buddhists in Bangladesh have decided to abstain from taking part in the lantern festival on Prabarona Purnima in protest against the repression of Rohingyas in Myanmar's Rakhaine state. They will donate the festival money to different Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar. Leaders of the Sammilito Bouddha Samaj of Bangladesh (SBSB) announced this at a news conference yesterday at the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU).

On behalf of the SBSB, its principal coordinator, Ashok Barua, read out a written statement at the press conference. Besides the president of the Bangladesh Buddhists Federation, Asim Ranjan Barua and Bangladesh Bouddha Samity's Dhaka region president Dipalchandra Barua, among others, were present.

As a mark of protest, Buddhists in Bangladesh will stay away from celebrating their lantern festival on Probarona Purnima, the second biggest Buddhist festival, on October 15. SBSB convener Sanghanayak Shuddhnanda Mahathero has directed the Buddhist community in Bangladesh not to light lanterns in the festival this year.

In a written statement, the SBSB leaders said the Buddhist community in Bangladesh are protesting against the repression unleashed on Rohingyas in Myanmar's Rakhaine state this year.

Mahathero, who is also the president of Bouddha Kristy Prachar Sangha, told reporters that they have been holding discussions with the leading lights of the World Buddhist Fellowship and other leaders, urging them to find peaceful means to resolve the Rohingya crisis. “Like the peaceful people of Bangladesh, we demand immediate cessation of the mass murders being committed in Myanmar,” he said.

The Sangha also wants to send a delegation to Myanmar to hold talks with the government and higher authorities there. They would proceed further if the Bangladesh government and the Myanmar embassy give them permission, Mahathero said.

Earlier, on September 8, the SBSB had formed a human chain in front of the Jatiya Press Club to register their protest against the atrocities committed on Rohingya people in Myanmar.  

On September 10, they also submitted a memorandum to the Myanmar embassy in Dhaka, calling for a halt to the repression on Rohingyas.