TL;DR:
- A petition filed in Bangladesh High Court seeks ban on ISKCON, with Attorney General labeling it a “fundamentalist organization” while directing government to report steps by Thursday.
- Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das Prabhu was arrested on November 25 at Dhaka airport on sedition charges, sparking widespread protests across Bangladesh.
- Violent protests erupted in Chittagong following Das’s bail denial, resulting in one lawyer’s death and injuries to over 20 people, leading to calls for emergency measures.
- India’s Ministry of External Affairs expressed “deep concern” over the arrest and minority attacks, while Bangladesh responded calling it an internal matter that misrepresents facts.
A petition seeking a ban on the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) was filed in the Bangladesh High Court amid escalating tensions following the arrest of prominent Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das Prabhu.
The High Court bench, comprising Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice Debasish Roy Chowdhury, directed Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman to report on the government’s actions regarding ISKCON’s activities by Thursday. The directive came after Supreme Court lawyer Moniruzzaman presented newspaper reports concerning ISKCON’s recent activities.
The petitioner also requested the implementation of emergency measures in Chittagong and Rangpur to prevent further unrest. During the hearing, Attorney General Asaduzzaman characterized ISKCON as a “religious fundamentalist organization” and stated that “the government is already scrutinizing them.”
The controversy erupted following the November 25 arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das at Dhaka airport on sedition charges. Das, who serves as the president of Pundarik Dham and spokesperson for the Bangladesh Sammilito Sanatani Jagaran Jot, was denied bail, triggering widespread protests across Bangladesh.
Demonstrations outside the Chittagong court turned violent, resulting in the death of a lawyer and injuries to more than 20 people. ISKCON Bangladesh condemned the arrest and issued a statement expressing “serious concern” over the situation, calling for the protection of minority rights.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs expressed “deep concern” over the developments, citing multiple attacks on Hindu minorities. However, Bangladesh’s foreign ministry responded by describing the arrest as an internal matter, stating that India’s statement “misrepresents facts and contradicts the spirit of friendship” between the two nations.
The situation has heightened concerns about religious minorities’ safety in Bangladesh, with ISKCON urging the government to ensure constitutional protections and religious freedom for all communities. The High Court is expected to hear the government’s position on Thursday morning, as tensions continue to mount in the region.
Source: The Daily Star
