Iskcon India on Wednesday reacted to the Bangladesh government’s move to file a writ petition, demanding a ban on the Hindu religious organisation in the wake of violent protests across the country after the arrest of Hindu monk, Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari.
The outfit said the situation was out of control and was awaiting US President-elect Donald Trump, who has condemned violence against Hindus in Bangaldesh, to return to the White House in January 2025.
“The situation is out of hand, not in our control any more. We will wait till January 20, when Trump takes office. Hope things get better then,” Radharamn Das, Vice President and spokesperson of Iskcon India, told India Today TV.
Before he won the November 5 US Presidential election, Trump condemned the “barbaric violence” against Hindus in Bangladesh and slammed his Democratic rival Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden, saying they ignored Hindus.
The now President-elect said the anti-Hindu violence in Bangladesh, which erupted after a students’ agitation over a controversial quota system turned into a massive anti-government protest resulting in the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, would never have happened on his watch.
Further speaking to India Today, Radharamn Das said Iskcon serves everyone without discrimination against a person’s religion or caste.
“When Bangladesh was flooded, we served so many. We were questioned about why we were doing it, and yet we did it. Eight billion people have been fed by Iskcon worldwide. And we are being called a religious fundamentalist organisation?” he said.
The spokesperson went on to say that the Hindus in Bangladesh only want basic things, including a government holiday on Durga Puja, “and this is their response”.
“Bangladesh’s decision today makes it clear what the government is thinking. World leaders need to speak up. Many global leaders, including late Apple founder Steve Jobs, are associated with Iskcon. Trump and US Hindu Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard are being tagged on social media, demanding them to lend their voice,” he stressed.
Radharamn Das’s remarks came shortly after the Muhammad Yunus-led government filed its writ petition in the Bangladesh High Court, demanding a ban on Iskcon, which it termed a “religious fundamentalist organisation”.
In response, the court directed the Attorney General to report the government’s position on the Hindu religious organisation by Thursday morning.
CHINMOY KRISHNA DAS’S ARREST
Chinmoy Krishna Das was arrested at Dhaka airport on Monday on multiple charges, including sedition. His arrest sparked widespread protests in Dhaka and Chittagong, where his supporters clashed with security forces.
A Muslim lawyer was killed amid protests outside the court in Chittagong and the police have arrested six suspects identified via CCTV footage, in connection with the murder.
At least 21 others, including members of Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League party, have been detained for vandalism and assaulting police officers during the unrest on Tuesday.
Chinmoy Krishna Das, who faces sedition charges for allegedly disrespecting Bangladesh’s national flag during a rally in October, was denied bail by a Chittagong court on Tuesday.
