DHAKA: In a significant legal development, Bangladesh’s High Court on November 28, 2024, dismissed a petition seeking to ban the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in the country. The petition, filed by a local lawyer, had accused ISKCON of engaging in activities that allegedly posed a threat to national security and stoked communal unrest.
The case comes in the wake of violent protests triggered by the arrest of Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das, a former ISKCON member, on charges of sedition. Das, known for his advocacy for Hindu rights in Bangladesh, was detained after raising a flag that allegedly resembled the national flag in a controversial act. His arrest, which sparked violent clashes, resulted in the death of a lawyer, further intensifying tensions between the Hindu community and local authorities.
The High Court, while rejecting the ban, instructed the government to take adequate steps to ensure law and order amid the ongoing unrest. The court also sought a report on actions taken by authorities concerning ISKCON’s recent activities.
ISKCON has publicly condemned the arrest of Das, calling it an infringement on religious freedom and urging for peaceful coexistence. Meanwhile, India expressed deep concern over the safety of Hindus in Bangladesh and called for the protection of minority rights.
Web Team C6N
