Bangladesh: Communal tension is increasing in Bangladesh. Chittagong-based Islamic organization Hifazat-e-Islam has called for a ban on the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). Regarding this, Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen, living in exile in India, posted on “Murder.”
Describing the dangers faced by ISKCON members, Taslima Nasreen said, “Hefazat-e-Islam has called for terrorism. They want to kill ISKCON members. Is ISKCON a terrorist organization that it should be banned? ?”
He emphasized that ISKCON, which is present globally, has never promoted violence. She said, “ISKCON is present in many countries around the world and nowhere does it face such problems, but it does in Bangladesh.” The author blamed “Islamists and jihadists, who cannot tolerate people of other religions.”
The Chittagong-based group Hefazat-e-Islam has called for a ban on ISKCON. Today, their slogan was: “Catch one ISKCON, then slaughter.” Hefazat-e-Islam has called for terrorism. They want to kill ISKCON members. Is ISKCON a terrorist organization that it should be banned? Have… pic.twitter.com/tDNoLczzzE
— taslima nasreen (@taslimanasreen) November 8, 2024
BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari expressed concern
Meanwhile, West Bengal Bharatiya Janata Party leader Suvendu Adhikari expressed his concern and called it a “planned attack” on ISKCON. Sharing a video of a procession in Chittagong, the officer claimed that the radicals were raising slogans, “There is no place for ISKCON in this Bangla.” He said, “If the radicals are thinking of attacking ISKCON, they will not be able to bear the consequences.”
Suvendu Adhikari posted the video
The officer wrote, “This video was recorded today at around 11 am, when a procession of fundamentalists was moving from Terry Bazaar towards Cheragi in Chittagong with the intention of inciting communal tension. Listen to the slogans they were raising:- 'There is no place for ISKCON in this Bengali, burn ISKCON, burn ISKCON addresses, destroy ISKCON, demolish ISKCON addresses.'
International Society for Krishna Consciousness or ISKCON; a Hindu Vaishnavite order is under 'concerted' attack in Bangladesh.
ISKCON is an internationally reputable religious organization with presence in over 76 countries, spearheading the Hare Krishna Movement & following the… pic.twitter.com/UcdfVezvi9
— Suvendu Adhikari (@SuvenduWB) November 8, 2024
when did the violence start
Communal clashes began on 5 November when Usman Ali, a local businessman, allegedly posted on Facebook describing ISKCON as a “terrorist group”, sparking anger among the Hindu community in Hazari Gali area of Chittagong. In response, joint police and army forces launched an operation in which approximately 100 suspects were arrested.
Bangladeshi Hindus support Awami League
ISKCON Bangladesh President Satya Ranjan Baroi condemned the attacks, saying, “ISKCON Bangladesh is a non-political and peaceful religious organization dedicated to communal harmony, religious tolerance and human welfare.” Baroi urged a peaceful resolution to the incident after investigation. About 8 percent of Bangladesh's population are Hindus, who have historically supported Sheikh Hasina's Awami League. However, increasing communal tension has raised concerns about the safety of the minority community across the country.
