Hindus targeted in Bangladesh
The International Association for Krishna Consciousness, i.e. ISKCON, is under discussion. The reason is the arrest of its most important face, Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, in the neighboring country of Bangladesh. Chinmoy Krishna Das was arrested on Monday. He was arrested while on his way from Dhaka to Chittagong. There is anger among Hindus after the action of the Bangladesh police. They oppose the action. Hundreds of people protest in the streets.
India has expressed concern over the arrest of Chinmay Das. The Ministry of External Affairs has said that we are concerned about the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das. This incident comes after several attacks against Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh. The Ministry of External Affairs also expressed concern over attacks on minorities peacefully protesting against Das’ arrest.
What is the allegation against Chinmay Das?
Chinmoy Krishna Das has been a voice for protecting the rights of Hindus in Bangladesh. He is accused of speaking against the government and defending the rights of minorities. A case was registered against 19 people, including Chinmay Das, at Kotwali police station in Chittagong on October 30. He was accused of insulting the national flag of Bangladesh during a Hindu community rally in the New Market area of Chittagong.
Chinmoy Das has been the most important face of Hindus along with ISKCON in Bangladesh. He propagated and spread ISKCON a lot there. All this is happening when the Hindu population is declining in Bangladesh. At the moment, Mohammad Yunus does not like ISKCON’s efforts to create awareness among Hindus in Bangladesh. Attacks on Hindus have increased since he came to power. ISKCON is especially its goal. Its ban has also been requested.
Get to know ISKCON
ISKCON is an organization that makes people aware of Lord Krishna. Work to bring the message of Bhagwat Geeta to every home. Swami Srila Prabhupada established it on July 11, 1966. It has more than 10 lakh followers all over the world. It has been identified among common people as the Hare Krishna Hare Ram temple.
It has temples not only in India but also in countries like the United States, Russia, Great Britain and Pakistan. In total, ISKCON has 108 temples around the world. It also has many centers. Talking only about Bangladesh, it has temples in Dhaka, Rajshahi, Chittagong, Sylhet, Rangpur, Khulna, Barishal, Mimensingh.
Why is ISKCON targeted in Bangladesh?
ISKCON temples are not only in Bangladesh but also in Pakistan. But it is not as much a goal in Bangladesh as it is in Pakistan. There was a time when around 20% of Bangladesh’s population were Hindus, but now their number has reduced to less than 9%. For decades, they continued to enjoy the support of Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League Party, but with the change of power bad days also began for Hindus.
Community leaders say minorities in Bangladesh are always easy targets for miscreants and troublemakers. According to a BBC report, there were at least 3,679 attacks against the Hindu community between January 2013 and September 2021.
Hindus are facing a grave situation after Hasina left power. The Yunus-led interim government has failed to stop attacks on minorities and Hasina’s party workers. Recently, the demand to declare Bangladesh an Islamic State was also raised. The country’s Attorney General, MD Asaduzzaman, had said in court that socialism and secularism do not reflect the realities of a country where 90% of the population is Muslim.
ISKCON and Chinmay Das have been taking action against Hindus in Bangladesh. ISKCON has been accused of interfering in Bangladeshi politics. Apart from this, it was also said that ISKCON is creating a narrative that Hindus are not safe in Bangladesh.
ISKCON’s popularity has continuously increased in Bangladesh. Here his followers are increasing. ISKCON actively participates in many Hindu festivals. Especially on Janmashtami. It also provides ration to the needy. The Yunus government does not like this propaganda and propagation of ISKCON and is taking action against it with anger.
