The Bangladesh High Court on November 28, declined to issue a suo moto order to ban the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). The court’s decision follows escalating nationwide unrest that erupted after the arrest of a Hindu monk, Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, on sedition charges earlier this week.
The controversy surrounding ISKCON, a prominent Hindu religious organisation, has put a spotlight on Bangladesh’s strained communal fabric, with the government labeling it a “fundamentalist religious organisation” in a writ petition. Despite the intense rhetoric and rising violence, the court, after reviewing the government’s position, decided not to take immediate action against the organisation.
The unrest began on November 25, when Chinmoy Krishna Das was arrested at Dhaka airport. He faces sedition charges for allegedly disrespecting the national flag during a rally organised in October. His arrest triggered protests by members of the Hindu community, which spiraled into violent clashes across the country.
In Chittagong, protests turned deadly when Saiful Islam Alif, a Muslim lawyer, was killed. The incident led to widespread anger and further confrontations, prompting the government to file three separate cases regarding the violence. Authorities have since arrested 33 individuals accused of involvement in the unrest.
The High Court was informed about these developments during a hearing, where Additional Attorney General Aneek R Haque and Deputy Attorney General Md Asad Uddin presented the government’s report on the unfolding crisis.
The writ petition, filed by Supreme Court lawyer Md Monir Uddin, sought an immediate ban on ISKCON and the imposition of Section 144 in violence-hit areas such as Chattogram, Rangpur, and Dinajpur. The petition accused ISKCON of being a “religious fundamentalist group” and claimed that its activities were fueling communal tensions in the country.
The court, however, refrained from taking such an extreme step, stating that the government’s report indicated that sufficient measures had already been undertaken to address the situation. The bench, comprising Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice Debasish Roy Chowdhury, expressed hope that the government would prioritise protecting lives, property, and maintaining law and order.
ISKCON’s leadership strongly rejected the allegations, asserting that the organisation has been a peaceful and law-abiding entity for over five decades in Bangladesh.
In a statement, ISKCON emphasised its humanitarian contributions, including running orphanages, old-age homes, and free medical camps, and providing disaster relief to people of all faiths. “ISKCON is a respected, global religious tradition with a history of inclusivity and service to society. It is deeply troubling to see such accusations against us,” the statement read.
In a major shift, ISKCON Bangladesh publicly dissociated itself from Chinmoy Krishna Das, describing him as an expelled member whose actions do not represent the organisation.
“Chinmoy Krishna Das is not the spokesperson of ISKCON Bangladesh, and his remarks are solely personal,” said Charu Chandra Das, the general secretary of ISKCON Bangladesh. He further clarified that Chinmoy now represents the “Bangladesh Sanmilito Sanatani Jagoron Jot,” a new body advocating for Hindu rights in the country.
This distancing came after Chinmoy’s controversial remarks allegedly disrespecting Bangladesh’s national flag were cited as evidence in the sedition case against him.
The controversy surrounding ISKCON comes amid a surge in anti-Hindu violence in Bangladesh. Since the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5, following widespread protests over a controversial quota system, the Hindu minority—comprising just 8 per cent of Bangladesh’s 170 million population—has faced increasing hostility.
Over 200 incidents of violence against Hindus have been reported, with activists pointing to a worrying trend of targeted attacks. The government has been criticised for failing to ensure the safety and security of minority communities.
The Sanatan Sanstha, a Hindu rights organisation, has announced plans to file a bail petition for Chinmoy Krishna Das at the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court on December 1. If unsuccessful, the group intends to escalate the matter to the High Court.
Meanwhile, ISKCON leaders are engaging with government representatives to address concerns and dispel what they describe as baseless accusations against the organisation.
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