After Hindu priest’s arrest, will Bangladesh now ban Iskcon?

Bangladesh’s arrest of a prominent Hindu leader associated with the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (Iskcon) has created an uproar among the country’s minority Hindus. Chinmoy Krishna Das’ arrest has courted criticism from various quarters, including India.

Amid the controversy, a petition has reportedly been filed in the Bangladesh High Court seeking a ban on Iskcon. On Wednesday (November 27), the court asked the government what steps have been taken regarding Iskcon’s recent activities.

Let’s take a closer look.

Bangladesh’s crackdown on Iskcon

Iskcon has remained in the news in Bangladesh since former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country in August.

The port city of Chittagong saw tensions in early November after a Muslim grocer called Iskcon a “terrorist group” in a Facebook post. Clashes broke out in the Hazari Gali area, inhabited mainly by Hindus, leading to many people getting injured.

Recently, a social media campaign in Bangladesh against Iskcon has called for its ban. As per an India Today report, hashtags like ban iskcon, ISKCON must be banned, Hindutva Propaganda, and Hindus Playing Victim have flooded social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and X.

The Hindu religious organisation has been accused of promoting the interests of the Awami League, Hasina ’s party, and acting as “agents” of the Indian government.

Iskcon has rebuffed these allegations.

As per a report in Bangladesh’s The Daily Star, the Bangladesh High Court has told Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman to inform the court on Thursday of the steps taken by the government concerning Iskcon’s recent activities.

The Attorney General told the court that Iskcon was not a political party. “It is a religious fundamentalist organisation. The government is already scrutinising them,” Asaduzzaman said, according to India Today.

This came after a Supreme Court lawyer, Moniruzzaman, sought a ban on the Hindu organisation’s operations.

Amid protests, the lawyer also urged the court to declare a state of emergency in Chittagong and Rangpur to avoid further untoward incidents.

Reacting to the petition, Iskcon vice president Radha Raman Das called on world leaders to speak about the issue. “The situation is out of hand. Not in our control now. We will wait for January 20 when Donald Trump gets in[to] office. Hope things proceed then,” Das told India Today.

Chinmoy Krishna Das’ arrest

Chinmoy Krishna Das ’ arrest in Bangladesh has angered Hindus. Hindu protesters clashed with security forces Tuesday after Das was denied bail by a magistrate court in Chittagong.

A Muslim lawyer was killed during the protests outside the court in Chittagong.

Das, also known as Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, was arrested in Dhaka’s main airport on Monday while travelling to Chittagong on several charges, including sedition.

Das has been accused of disrespecting Bangladesh’s national flag. As per a Dhaka Tribune report, the sedition case was filed against him and 18 others for allegedly hoisting a saffron flag above Bangladesh’s national flag in October.

Das served as the Chittagong Divisional Secretary of Iskcon from 2016 to 2022. He is also a member of the Bangladesh Sammilito Sanatan Jagaran Jote group.

Since Hasina fled in August, he has led several large rallies calling for safety for the Hindus, reported Associated Press (AP).

Das’ arrest triggered protests in the capital Dhaka and Chittagong. On Tuesday, the magistrate court in the port city rejected his bail and ordered him to be detained pending further proceedings.

Clashes broke out as police tried to escort the Hindu leader to jail but hundreds of his supporters surrounded the van he was in, reportedly blocking it for over two hours.

“They went on a rampage, throwing bricks at us. To disperse the crowd, we had to fire tear gas. No one was seriously injured, but one of our constables was hurt,” Chittagong Metropolitan Police Commissioner Hasib Aziz said, according to Reuters.

India expresses concern

India, which has expressed concern about the safety of Hindus since Hasina’s ouster in Bangladesh, has condemned Das’ arrest.

“This incident follows the multiple attacks on Hindus and other minorities by extremist elements in Bangladesh. There are several documented cases of arson and looting of minorities’ homes and business establishments, as well as theft and vandalism and desecration of deities and temples,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement yesterday.

It also decried attacks on peaceful protests by Hindus.

“We urge Bangladesh authorities to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and all minorities, including their right of freedom of peaceful assembly and expression,” the ministry said.

Dhaka criticised India’s reaction, calling the issue “internal affairs” of Bangladesh.

Bangladesh’s foreign ministry said the government does not interfere in the judiciary’s work. “The Government of Bangladesh is also committed to upholding communal harmony in the country,” the ministry said.

With inputs from agencies