Bangladesh’s Hindu community, already reeling from attacks on temples and homes, faces renewed challenges as ISKCON leaders are targeted. The global Hindu organization, known for its humanitarian efforts, finds itself at the center of growing unrest, sparking protests and international calls for action.
By PC Bureau
Another ISKCON priest, Shyam Das Prabhu, was arrested in Chattogram on Saturday, deepening the ongoing crisis facing the Hindu community in Bangladesh. The detention comes just days after the arrest of spiritual leader Chinmoy Krishna Das on sedition charges.
According to ISKCON Kolkata Vice-President Radharamn Das, Shyam Das Prabhu was taken into custody without a warrant while visiting Chinmoy Krishna Das in jail. In addition, an ISKCON center in Bhairav was reportedly vandalized, signaling an intensification of attacks on the Hindu organization.
The recent developments have drawn attention to the precarious state of minority rights in Bangladesh, where Hindus, constituting around 8% of the population, continue to face systemic violence and discrimination.
A Flashpoint: Arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das
Chinmoy Krishna Das, a respected ISKCON leader, was arrested earlier this week on sedition charges, accused of inciting unrest and undermining national unity. His followers, however, maintain that his statements merely called for better protection for minority communities and were non-political. The arrest has sparked widespread protests across Bangladesh, with ISKCON devotees describing it as a politically motivated move to stifle advocacy for Hindu rights.
The detention has also reignited global concern, with ISKCON issuing appeals for Das’s release and urging the Bangladeshi government to uphold its constitutional commitment to secularism.
A Pattern of Persecution
The Hindu community in Bangladesh has long endured cycles of violence, particularly during periods of political or religious tension. Incidents such as the 2021 attack on an ISKCON temple in Noakhali during Durga Puja, which left one devotee dead, underscore the risks faced by the community. Social media disinformation and political exploitation of religious differences often exacerbate these incidents.
A recent report revealed a 25% rise in attacks on Hindu temples and homes over the past year, with land disputes involving Hindu families frequently going unaddressed by local authorities.
