The Bangladesh government referred to ISKCON as a “fundamentalist” group in a statement to the court. Amid rising tensions in Chittagong, law enforcement agencies are on high alert, with additional forces deployed in the region and in Dhaka. Authorities are taking precautions to prevent any potential unrest. The situation reflects heightened vigilance to maintain law and order.
New Delhi: Bangladesh designated the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) as a “religious fundamentalist” group in an affidavit submitted to the High Court.
This statement comes from the interim government, which took power following the student-led protests that ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August.
They stated they are currently “examining ISKCON.”
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This development follows the arrest of Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari on Monday, which sparked protests from the Hindu community in Rangpur, located 300 km north of Dhaka. The protesters are calling for stronger protections for Hindus and the establishment of a minority affairs ministry.
Hindus make up about eight percent of Bangladesh’s 170 million population. Since Hasina’s departure, the new military-backed interim administration, led by Nobel laureate Mohammed Yunus, has faced criticism for its inadequate response to violence against minorities, including attacks on Hindu businesses and homes.
In response to inquiries regarding ISKCON’s origins in Bangladesh, Attorney General Mohd.
Asaduzzaman reportedly stated,
“It is a religious fundamentalist organisation. The government is already scrutinising them, and he was instructed to prepare a note on the authorities’ actions regarding ISKCON and the current law-and-order situation in the country.”
The arrest of Chinmoy Brahmachari sparked intense and violent protests in Bangladesh, with reports emerging of a temple in Chattogram being vandalized this morning.
Radharamn Das, a spokesperson for ISKCON, shared a video on X, stating,
“24×7 attack on Hindus & Hindu places of worship in #Bangladesh. When will it all STOP?”
The Bangladesh unit of ISKCON has condemned both the arrest and the violence against members of the Hindu community.
This incident has also strained diplomatic relations between New Delhi and Dhaka. India has voiced strong concerns regarding Brahmachari’s arrest, urging the Bangladeshi government to protect minority communities, particularly Hindus.
In response, the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry expressed annoyance at what it called India’s interference in its “internal affairs.”
The Yunus administration later emphasized, in the strongest terms,
“Every Bangladeshi, regardless of religious affiliation, has the right to establish, maintain or perform respective religious rituals and practices or express views without hindrance.”
Brahmachari’s arrest has led to widespread protests from his supporters, prompting law enforcement agencies to remain vigilant throughout the country.