Interim govt in Bangladesh planning to ban ISKCON, labels organisation as 'religious fundamentalist' group

DHAKA: The interim government in Bangladesh has branded the Hindu organization ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) as a 'religious fundamentalist' organization. This move comes amid escalating protests from the Hindu community over the arrest of Hindu priest and ISKCON leader Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari.

The government made the controversial statement in response to a petition filed by a lawyer in the Dhaka High Court on Wednesday seeking a ban on ISKCON. Attorney General Mohammad Asaduzzaman said that the government is already monitoring ISKCON. The court directed the government to submit reports on ISKCON and the law and order situation in the country on Thursday.

Meanwhile, one more temple was attacked in Chittagong on Wednesday amid demands from the Hindu community for stronger laws and a dedicated minority affairs ministry to protect their rights. Some extremist groups in Bangladesh, which claim that ISKCON is a terrorist organization, are also issuing death threats against devotees.

India condemns Chimoy Krishna Das's arrest
Condemning the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das, India urged Bangladesh to ensure the safety and security of minority communities, including Hindus. However, Bangladesh's foreign ministry responded by stating that India should not interfere in Bangladesh's internal affairs.