The Bangladeshi government has described the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) as a “religious fundamentalist organisation” following a High Court writ petition seeking a ban on the group. This comes amid nationwide unrest sparked by the arrest of Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari and attacks on ISKCON and other Hindu temples by radical Islamic groups.
The petition, filed on Wednesday by a lawyer, also highlighted the death of assistant public prosecutor Saiful Islam during clashes between security forces and followers of Chinmoy Krishna Das after his bail was denied. The High Court has directed the Attorney General to clarify the government’s position on ISKCON and report on the country’s law and order situation by Thursday morning.
During the hearing, Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman stated that ISKCON is not a political entity but a “religious fundamentalist organisation” currently under government scrutiny. The court has urged the government to ensure the law and order situation does not further deteriorate.
The controversy follows heightened tensions in the country, including over 200 reported attacks on Hindus and other minorities since the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government on 5 August. Chinmoy Das, formerly associated with ISKCON, was arrested earlier this week for allegedly disrespecting the national flag during a Hindu community rally. The government has clarified that Das was detained on charges of sedition, not as a representative of any community.
The arrest has triggered widespread protests from the Hindu community and drawn international concern. India’s Ministry of External Affairs expressed deep unease, noting, “This incident follows multiple attacks on Hindus and other minorities by extremist elements in Bangladesh.”
Radha Raman Das, vice president of ISKCON, called on global leaders to intervene and expressed hope for improvements after Donald Trump’s inauguration as US President on 20 January. “The situation is out of hand. It’s not in our control now. We are hopeful that after January 20, things will move forward,” Das told a section of media.
The petition coincides with recent remarks by the Attorney General suggesting the removal of “secular” from Bangladesh’s Constitution, citing that 90% of the population is Muslim, adding further fuel to ongoing debates about minority rights and secularism in the nation.
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