‘Ban ISKCON or we will kill devotees’: Islamist group threatens ISKCON in Bangladesh, sparks outrage

Dhaka: Communal tensions in Bangladesh are on the rise as Islamist groups, including the Chittagong-based Hefazat-e-Islam, have issued violent threats against the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). The group has demanded a government-imposed ban on ISKCON and threatened to kill devotees if their ultimatum is not met.

Provocative Threats

During a recent rally, Hefazat-e-Islam leaders were heard chanting violent slogans, including, “Catch one ISKCON, then slaughter,” calling for the eradication of the Hindu minority group from Bangladesh. A video of the rally, widely circulated on social media, captured the group’s leader issuing a chilling warning:

“If ISKCON is not banned, we will start capturing ISKCON devotees and killing them brutally to purify Bangladesh from Hindus.”

The ultimatum has sparked alarm within Bangladesh’s Hindu minority community, as ISKCON temples and devotees have long been targeted in communal violence.

Background on ISKCON in Bangladesh

ISKCON, an international organisation promoting spiritual practices rooted in Hindu traditions, has a significant presence in Bangladesh. It serves as a spiritual and cultural centre for the country’s Hindu minority, which accounts for about 10% of the population. Despite its peaceful activities, ISKCON has faced hostility from radical groups accusing it of spreading Hinduism in a predominantly Muslim nation.

Bangladesh: Radical Islamists have given ultimatum to Md. Yunnus to Ban ISKCON or they will start catching and brutally killing ISKCON devotees!! pic.twitter.com/HYVWlvghbI

— Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) November 15, 2024

Public Reaction

The threats have drawn sharp criticism on social media. Many users condemned the calls for violence, defending ISKCON as an international organisation that upholds the right to religious worship.

One user commented, “ISKCON is a global body, and Hindus have a right to worship. Are they trying to strip Hindus of their basic rights?” Another added, “These radical Islamists are so against Hindus that they want to erase every trace of their existence.”

The outrage has extended beyond Bangladesh, with members of the international Hindu community demanding swift action to ensure the safety of ISKCON devotees and other minorities in the country.

Government’s Role

Muhammad Yunus, the chief adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government, has yet to issue an official response to the threats. The silence from authorities has intensified fears among minority communities, as past incidents of violence against ISKCON devotees and Hindu temples often went unpunished.

Conclusion

The escalating communal tensions underline the fragile state of religious harmony in Bangladesh. Calls for violence against peaceful religious groups like ISKCON have sparked concerns about the safety of minorities and the government’s commitment to upholding their constitutional rights. As international attention grows, the Bangladeshi government faces mounting pressure to act decisively against the perpetrators of such hate campaigns.