ISKCON is to be banned, according to a new petition in Bangladesh, which claims the group is a “radical organization” that poses a threat to national security.
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness has found itself embroiled in controversy in Bangladesh, with calls for its ban gaining momentum.
After learning that the government had already taken the required steps, the Dhaka high court on Thursday rejected to issue a Suo motu decision “to ban The International Society for Krishna Consciousness activities in Bangladesh,” according to The Daily Star.
Bangladesh wants to BAN ISKCON. But why?
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness has found itself embroiled in controversy in Bangladesh, with calls for its ban gaining momentum.
The recent arrest of a Hindu religious leader, Chinmoy Krishna Das, has sparked tensions and allegations against ISKCON of inciting communal disharmony and promoting sectarianism. This blog delves into the reasons behind the growing anti-ISKCON sentiment in Bangladesh and the implications for the Hindu community.
Supreme Court lawyer Md Monir Uddin had submitted newspaper reports on activities and requested the court to impose a ban and enforce Section 144 in Chattogram, Rangpur, and Dinajpur.
The attorney general was then requested by the court to report on the government’s activities in relation to the ISKCON. Regarding the death of lawyer Saiful Islam Alif and the actions of ISKCON, the attorney general’s office told the court on Thursday that 33 persons had been detained and that three charges had been filed.
The bench stressed that the government must uphold law and order and safeguard the citizens of Bangladesh’s lives and property.
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What did the petition say?
Amid rising concerns over the treatment of minorities in Bangladesh, a new petition has been filed calling for a ban on the International Society for Krishna Consciousness in the country.
The Dhaka Tribune reports that the legal notice charges the outfit with being a “radical organisation” that engages in actions that endanger national security and incite intercommunal strife.
On behalf of ten other legal experts, Supreme Court attorney Al Mamun Russell filed the petition, which calls for the prosecution of individuals involved in the alleged murder of government attorney Advocate Saiful Islam.
The notice was directed to Bangladesh’s Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Law and Justice, and the Inspector General of Police on Wednesday.
As per the Dhaka Tribune report, the notice claims ISKCON operates in Bangladesh as a “radical organisation,” allegedly fueling sectarian violence and promoting religious intolerance.
The petition also links ISKCON to the alleged murder of a lawyer during protests following the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das, attributing it to the group’s “blatant disregard for law and order.”
It further accuses of forcibly recruiting members to impose its beliefs on traditional Hindu communities, taking over Sanatan temples, evicting members of the Sanatan community, and even attacking mosques.
The arrest of an ISKON cleric
The high court’s ruling coincides with the controversy surrounding Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, a former priest from ISKCON Bangladesh, who was arrested on sedition charges, sparking protests and unrest around the nation.
According to the Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS), the minority Hindu community in Bangladesh has seen more than 200 attacks, including attacks on their temples, since Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League administration fell on August 5.
When the court refused to grant bail to Das, who was arrested on Monday in connection with the sedition case, locals in a number of places, including Chattogram and Dhaka, protested. He was recently ejected from the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, where he had previously belonged.
(With inputs from ANI, PTI)
FAQs:
- Why is there a call to ban ISKCON in Bangladesh?
- Some groups in Bangladesh accuse ISKCON of promoting sectarianism and inciting communal violence.
- The arrest of Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das, who was associated with ISKCON, further fueled these allegations.
- What is ISKCON’s response to the ban calls?
- ISKCON has denied the allegations and maintained that it is a peaceful religious organization dedicated to promoting spiritual values.
- How might a ban on ISKCON impact the Hindu community in Bangladesh?
- A ban on ISKCON could have significant implications for the Hindu community in Bangladesh, potentially restricting religious freedom and leading to further marginalization.
- What is the international community’s reaction to the situation?
- International human rights organizations and Hindu groups have expressed concern over the situation in Bangladesh and called for the protection of religious freedom.
