A petition has been filed in Bangladesh’s High Court seeking a ban on the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). The petition, presented on Wednesday, calls for imposing a state of emergency in Chittagong and Rangpur to prevent further unrest, which has fueled nationwide protests.
The court, led by Justices Farah Mahbub and Debasish Roy Chowdhury, ordered the government to address the situation promptly, especially in light of increasing concerns over the safety of Hindus. The petition follows the arrest of prominent Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das Prabhu, a vocal advocate for religious minorities, whom authorities detained on charges of sedition at Dhaka’s airport on November 25. This arrest has ignited protests across the country, with demonstrations turning violent. Clashes injured at least 20 individuals, and a lawyer tragically lost his life in the unrest outside a Chittagong court.
ISKCON condemned the arrest, calling for international intervention. An ISKCON spokesperson urged the United Nations to step in, stating, “The ongoing persecution of minorities in Bangladesh is unacceptable.” The organization has called for global support to ensure the safety of religious minorities, particularly Hindus, who have faced growing violence.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs expressed “deep concern” over the situation, pointing out the systematic attacks on Hindus and other minorities. “We urge Bangladesh authorities to ensure the safety of Hindus and all minorities, as well as their right to peaceful assembly,” the statement read.
In response, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected India’s criticism, framing the arrest as an internal matter. The statement emphasized that the allegations against Chinmoy Krishna Das were based on specific charges and that India’s comments misrepresented the facts.
The rising violence and the government’s response have raised fears about the future of religious minorities in Bangladesh, with calls for stronger protections and international attention.
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