Bangladesh HC To Hear Petition Seeking Ban On ISKCON Amid Crackdown On Hindus

A petition has been filed in a Bangladeshi High Court seeking a ban on the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) as attacks on the Hindu community intensified in the country.

The petition has also sought a directive to impose a state of emergency in Chittagong and Rangpur to avoid any untoward situation as protests rocked the cities. The court sought government initiative on the issue.

‘Worrying Situation’: Plea In High Court Seeks ISKCON Ban
Lawyer Moniruzzaman sought an order before a bench of Justices Farah Mahbub and Debashish Roy Chowdhury on Wednesday.

Attorney General Md. Asaduzzaman stated that some people are attempting to destabilise the country and the government has started the “process of discussions with political parties on recent issues”.

“The government is dealing with a worrying situation by building national unity,” he said. The High Court said, “They are worried. So that no one can deteriorate the law and order situation”.

The court then ordered the government to give a report on its actions on ISKCON and recent issues relating to it by tomorrow.

Reacting to the development, General Secretary of Bangladesh National Hindu Grand Alliance, Dr Mrityunjay Kumar Roy, said that the group strongly opposes the plea. “What has ISKCON done?…ISKCON is a peaceful organisation which talks about Shri Krishna and works for the welfare of the poor,” he said.

Protests By Hindu Community In Bangladesh
This comes as the Hindu community has been protesting against the arrest and denial of bail to a monk Chinmoy Krishna Das Prabhu who was slapped with sedition charges.

Prabhu has been raising his voice against atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh. He has also organised several protests demanding the security of the religious minority community.

He was arrested on November 25 at Dhaka Airport and was sent to jail on charges of sedition. Protests broke out outside the Chittagong court in which a lawyer was allegedly killed by the mob.

India Expresses Concern On Violence Against Hindus
The Ministry of External Affairs expressed concerns over the recent developments asking the Bangladeshi government to ensure safety of Hindus in the country.

“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,” MEA said in an official statement.

The Ministry also expressed concerns over the attacks on protesting Hindus demanding the release of Prabhu.