ISKCON appeals to Bangladesh govt for protection of Hindus following attacks

DN Bureau

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) on Monday said they are shocked and saddened by the recent events directed against the Hindu minority in Bangladesh, including the attack on the ISKCON temple and its members in Noakhali, and appealed for protection of minorities in Bangladesh.

File Photo
File Photo


New Delhi/Dhaka: The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) on Monday said they are shocked and saddened by the recent events directed against the Hindu minority in Bangladesh, including the attack on the ISKCON temple and its members in Noakhali, and appealed for protection of minorities in Bangladesh.

The statement comes in the wake of the vandalism and attack on the ISKCON temple in Noakhali, Bangladesh, by Islamist radicals on Thursday and elsewhere across Bangladesh targeting Durga Puja pandals and temples, following a social media post that stoked rumours of alleged disrespect to the Quran.

It said that between October 13 and 15 multiple temples, homes, shops and individuals of the Hindu community were attacked across several districts of Bangladesh. Several innocent members of the Hindu minority were killed for no reason other than their religious affiliation. Temples and private properties were burned, vandalized, and destroyed. Referring to the deaths due to alleged lynching of two of their young members, it said Prante Chandra Das, and Jatan Chandra Saha were murdered during these attacks. Another ISKCON member Nimai Chandra Das is hospitalized in a critical condition.

It voiced gratitude for the recent statements of support for the Hindu community from Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. It called upon the Bangladesh government to take swift action to bring an end to the violence against minorities that has undermined the peace and well­ being of Bangladeshi society and to take tangible steps to ensure the long-term safety and well-being of all Bangladeshi citizens.

It called for bringing to justice the perpetrators of the recent terrible crimes. The criminals behind these murderous attacks must be held accountable and punished to the fullest extent of the law, it said. It said that immediate, tangible, and substantial steps need to be taken to provide security to minorities in Bangladesh, including Hindus, Christians and Buddhists.

In a spirit of unity, earlier today, massive protests were organized by the Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, of which ISKCON is an active member. Events were held in the cities of Dhaka, Chittagong, Sylhet and other parts of Bangladesh. Protesters demanded that the perpetrators of violence be held accountable, and the safety of all Bangladeshi minorities be ensured.

It said similar protests are planned in the coming days across Bangladesh. In other parts of the world, too, protests are being staged in support of Bangladeshi Hindus and other minorities, it said. The statement was signed by Anuttama Dasa, Minister of Communications. (UNI)










Related Stories