Amid calls for ban, Bangla govt informs court that ISKCON is a fundamentalist organisation

The Bangladeshi government on Wednesday described the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (Iskcon) as a "religious fundamentalist organisation" during a High Court hearing. This follows a writ petition demanding a ban on Iskcon, coinciding with widespread protests against the arrest of Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari and attacks on Hindu temples by radical groups.

Also Read: ISKCON spokesperson claims divine intervention from Lord Jagannath helped Donald Trump survive assassination attempt

The petition, filed by a lawyer, also highlighted the death of assistant public prosecutor Saiful Islam during clashes between security forces and followers of the detained monk after he was denied bail. In response, Attorney General Md. Asaduzzaman clarified that Iskcon is not a political entity but a religious group under government scrutiny.

The High Court has directed the Attorney General to present the government's stance on Iskcon and provide an update on the nation’s law and order situation by Thursday morning. The court emphasized the need to prevent any further deterioration of public order amid rising tensions.

This development underscores ongoing concerns about religious tensions in Bangladesh. Protests have surged in response to the arrest and perceived targeting of Hindu communities, placing pressure on authorities to balance public security with ensuring minority rights. The government’s scrutiny of Iskcon has raised questions about the implications for religious freedom in the country.