Bangladesh Court orders Government response on petition to ban ISKCON

On Wednesday, the Bangladesh High Court ordered the government to respond to a petition seeking a ban on the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in the wake of rising violence against the Hindu community. The petition was filed by a lawyer who cited the ongoing unrest following the arrest of Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das Prabhu. The court instructed the government to provide a report on the situation, including the steps taken regarding ISKCON's activities, and the overall law and order situation in the country. The government is expected to report back by Thursday.

The petition follows the arrest of Krishna Das Prabhu on November 25 at Dhaka airport. He was detained on charges of sedition related to his involvement in organizing protests advocating for stronger protections for religious minorities. The arrest has been a catalyst for widespread protests, particularly in Chittagong and Rangpur, where demonstrators clashed with police. In the violence that followed, several people were injured, and one individual, assistant public prosecutor Saiful Islam, was reported dead during clashes in Chittagong.

During the hearing, Bangladesh's Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman addressed the petition, describing ISKCON as a “religious fundamentalist organization” and stating that the government was already scrutinizing the group's activities. However, he did not provide further specifics on the government's stance regarding a potential ban. The High Court has requested further details from the government on the situation, including its position on ISKCON’s role in the unrest and the broader law and order situation.

ISKCON has condemned the arrest of Krishna Das Prabhu, asserting that the monk’s actions were aimed at highlighting the challenges faced by religious minorities in Bangladesh. The organization emphasized its long-standing humanitarian efforts, including providing aid during natural disasters and feeding millions globally. ISKCON’s spokesperson also expressed concern over the description of the group as a "radical" organization, noting that it has always been involved in charitable work, including during the recent flooding in Bangladesh.

The unrest that followed Krishna Das Prabhu’s arrest is part of a broader pattern of protests against the treatment of Hindus and other religious minorities in Bangladesh. The Hindu community has raised concerns about the safety of their religious sites, businesses, and homes, especially following attacks by extremist groups in recent months. The Bangladesh government, however, maintains that the arrest was due to sedition charges and not related to the monk’s religious activities. Authorities insist that the law is being applied equally to all citizens, regardless of their religious affiliation.

The Bangladesh government has faced criticism from some international observers regarding the treatment of religious minorities. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bangladesh issued a statement in response to concerns raised by other countries, including India, asserting that the issue was an internal matter and emphasizing that the government is committed to maintaining peace and harmony among the country’s diverse religious communities. The government has reiterated that the actions taken in the case of Krishna Das Prabhu were in line with legal procedures. As the legal proceedings continue, the Bangladesh High Court’s inquiry into the petition reflects the seriousness with which the situation is being treated.