Chief Priest of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, Acharya Satyendra Das, strongly condemned the petition in Bangladesh calling for the ban on the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), warning that such conspiracies were aimed at dividing the Hindu community in the country.
Speaking to media, Acharya Satyendra Das said, “These conspiracies are being hatched to target Hindus and Hindu organizations like ISKCON in Bangladesh. The sole intention is to harm Hindus. Our government must intervene because, without it, the situation for Hindus will worsen in Bangladesh.” He stressed that ISKCON is a peaceful organization with dedicated seers working for the welfare of society and urged the government to take prompt action against such attacks on the Hindu community.
This petition follows the recent arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, a former ISKCON priest in Bangladesh, on charges of sedition. His arrest has sparked protests and widespread unrest in the country. The petition claims that ISKCON is a “radical organization” responsible for provoking communal violence, a statement that has been strongly refuted by many.
Bangladesh Leaders and Indian Officials Respond
The General Secretary of the Bangladesh National Hindu Grand Alliance, Mrityunjay Kumar Roy, also condemned the petition, emphasizing that ISKCON is a peaceful organization focused on promoting the teachings of Lord Krishna and working for the welfare of the poor. “What did ISKCON do wrong? It is a global community working for the betterment of all, especially the underprivileged,” Roy stated.
Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar condemned the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das, stating that it was part of a worrying trend of increasing attacks on Hindus and Hindu temples in Bangladesh. He said, “Since the political turnover, the attacks on Hindus have escalated, and Hindu temples have been destroyed. This is deeply concerning. The arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das, a peaceful protestor, cannot be justified as sedition.”
Union Minister Giriraj Singh also criticized the silence of opposition leaders like Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav on the issue, calling for more attention to the violence faced by Hindus in Bangladesh. He suggested that Hindus should organize protests against these atrocities.
Allegations and International Reactions
The petition filed in Bangladesh accused ISKCON of promoting communal violence by imposing its beliefs on traditional Hindu communities, forcibly recruiting lower-caste Hindus, and taking control of Sanatan temples. The petition also alleged that ISKCON’s activities were destabilizing the country and inciting religious discord.
ISKCON Bangladesh has rejected these allegations and issued a statement condemning the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das. The organization called for peaceful coexistence in Bangladesh and emphasized that Das has been a vocal advocate for the protection of minorities in the country.
ISKCON’s statement urged government authorities to ensure justice for Chinmoy Krishna Das and to protect the rights of all citizens to freely express their beliefs. They also called for measures to prevent further violence against the Sanatani community in Bangladesh.