Bangladesh On Edge: Islamist Group Threatens ISKCON; Taslima Nasreen, BJP Leader Voice Concerns

A Muslim outfit in Chittagong is demanding an ISKCON ban. In a recent Hefazat rally, its orators were apparently chanting into the violent slogan of ‘Catch one ISKCON then slaughter’ which escalated communal tensions in Bangladesh to a terrifying level, reports author Taslima Nasreen through her Facebook update today.

Taslima Nasreen was referring to the threats faced by ISKCON members with a question “Hefazat-e-Islam has called for terrorism. They want to kill ISKCON members. Is ISKCON a terrorist organization that it should be banned?” The exiled writer also referred to the peaceful presence of ISKCON members around the world and gave credit for hostility to “Islamists and jihadists who cannot tolerate people of other religions.”

The West Bengal BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari even rang alarm bells saying the event was a “concerted attack” on ISKCON. Adhikari released a video clip from the procession in Chattogram, accusing slogans like, “There is no place for ISKCON in this Bangla. He warned, “If the radicals are planning to move forward with the nefarious plan of attacking ISKCON, they will not be able to bear the fruit.” Adhikari further alleged, “This video is shot this morning at around 11 am when a procession of radicals were going from Teri Bazar to Cheragi in Chattogram with the intention of creating communal tensions.”

TDG was unable to independently verify the video.

The clashes followed November 5, when a trader named Osman Ali allegedly posted on Facebook referring to ISKCON as a “terrorist group,” and sparks were ignited in the Hindu community of the city’s Hazari Gali area. Security forces reacted by arresting nearly 100 suspects in joint police and army operations.

ISKCON Bangladesh president Satya Ranjan Baroi said, “ISKCON Bangladesh is a non-political and peaceful religious organisation dedicated to communal harmony, religious tolerance, and human welfare.” He urged for a peaceful resolve and insisted on an investigation. Bangladesh is home to around 8% of Hindus and they are traditionally supporting Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League, but increasing communal tensions have been causing growing fears for the safety of minority communities all over the nation.