[🇧🇩] ISKCON and its activities in Bangladesh

Ex-ISKCON leader arrested at HSIA

Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari

Former ISKCON leader Chandan Kumar Dhar, alias Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, was arrested from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport area in Dhaka yesterday afternoon.

Rezaul Karim Mallick, additional commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police and chief of the Detective Branch, said a team of detectives arrested him in connection with a case filed in Chattogram.

Earlier on October 31, a case was filed with Kotwali Police Station in Chattogram, accusing Chinmoy, spokesperson of Sammilita Sanatani Jagaran Jote, and 18 others.

Firoz Khan, the then general secretary of Mohora ward BNP, filed the case on charges of disrespecting Bangladesh's national flag in Chattogram's New Market area during a rally of the Hindu community on October 25.

Firoz, however, was expelled from the party over "anti-party" activities a day after filing the case.

According to the case statement, the incident occurred on October 25, when some youths reportedly placed a saffron-coloured flag over the Bangladesh flag on the Shadhinata Sthombho (independence pillar) at the Zero Point near the New Market intersection during a rally organised by the Hindus under the banner of Sanatan Jagaran Mancha.

PROTESTS

Protesting the arrest of Chinmoy, former divisional organising secretary of the Chattogram ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness), hundreds of people from the Hindu community gathered at Cheragi Pahar intersection in the port city around 6:00pm yesterday. They brought out a procession and demanded his immediate release.

Kazi Tarek Aziz, additional deputy commissioner (public relations) of Chattogram Metropolitan Police, said police have been deployed there to prevent any untoward incident.

In the capital, hundreds of members of the Hindu community, including ISKCON supporters, came out on the streets and blocked the Shahbagh intersection in the evening to protest the arrest.

Witnesses said around 200 ISKCON supporters gathered there, disrupting traffic movement. Tensions escalated when another group, armed with sticks, confronted the demonstrators, resulting in clashes.

The ISKCON supporters were eventually beaten and forced to leave the area.

Contacted, AKM Shahabuddin Shaheen, officer-in-charge of Shahbagh Police Station, said, "An unidentified group initially blocked the Shahbagh intersection, but another group soon intervened and dispersed them."

Processions were brought out also in Rangpur, Dinajpur and Narayanganj to protest the arrest.

Meanwhile, the Hindu-Bouddha-Christian Oikya Parishad in a statement condemned the arrest.

Its presidents Ushaton Talukder, Prof Dr Nim Chandra Bhowmik, and Nirmal Rozario, and acting general secretary Manindra Kumar Nath demanded the release of the Sammilita Sanatani Jagaran Jote spokesperson Prabhu Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari in the interest of the nation.

They said the arrest has the potential to tarnish Bangladesh's global image on the issue of freedom of expression and human rights.​

ISKCON seeks apology from Mahmudur Rahman



International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) Bangladesh has demanded an apology from Mahmudur Rahman, editor of Amar Desh, over his recent calls to ban the organisation.

In a press conference at Dhaka Reporters Unity today, ISKCON's General Secretary Charu Chandra Das Brahmachari said that they expect Mahmudur to retract his statements and issue a public apology within a week.

"If he apologises, ISKCON will appreciate the gesture. Otherwise, we will pursue strong actions, including legal measures, against him," he added.

At a programme at Jatiya Press Club on Monday, Mahmudur had called for ISKCON to be banned.

Charu Chandra Das Brahmachari expressed concerns over the comments, describing them as "baseless threats that could harm Bangladesh's religious harmony and social unity".

"Statements like these are damaging to the country's communal peace and stability," he said.

ISKCON also addressed what it described as "misleading rumours" circulating on social media, including allegations of desecrating the national flag.

"These claims are entirely baseless. ISKCON has no flag of its own, and the flag in question is not related to ISKCON. We strictly follow Bangladesh's laws and are committed to maintaining peace and religious unity," Charu said.

ISKCON President Satya Ranjan Barai said, ''ISKCON is an international organisation that was not involved in any such incidents anywhere in the world. ISKCON is not an agent of any country's intelligence agency but works solely for the welfare of humanity.''

There may be a conspiracy behind the rumours aimed at tarnishing ISKCON's reputation both nationally and internationally, he added.​

ISKCON official, 18 others sued over disrespecting national flag

A sedition case was filed against 19 people today on charges of disrespecting Bangladesh's national flag in Chattogram's New Market area on Friday.

Chandan Kumar Dhar, also known as Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, divisional organising secretary of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), Chattogram, is among the accused. Firoz Khan, a resident of the Mohora area, filed the case with Kotwali Police Station last night.

Police have arrested two of the accused -- Rajesh Chowdhury and Hriday Das -- in the Chattogram's Sadarghat area last evening.

The other accused are Ajay Dutta, Leela Raj Das Brahmachari, Gopal Das Tipu, Dr Kathak Das, Engineer Amit Dhar, Roni Das, Rajib Das, Krishna Kumar Dutta, Jiku Chowdhury, Newton Dey, Tushar Chakraborty Rajib, Mithun Dey, Rupan Dhar, Rimon Dutta, Sukanta Das and Biswajit Gupta.

According to the case statement, the incident occurred on October 25, when a group of youths reportedly placed a saffron-coloured flag over the Bangladeshi flag on a pillar at Zero Point near the New Market intersection during a rally organised by the Hindu community under the banner "Sanatan Jagaran Mancha".

The rally, held at Lal Dighi, was to press for eight specific demands.​

https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/nation/363722/19-including-two-from-iskcon-accused-in-chittagong

19 including two from Iskcon accused in Chittagong sedition case
They are accused of hoisting a saffron flag over Bangladesh’s national flag in Chittagong earlier this month
Publish : 31 Oct 2024, 03:09 PMUpdate : 31 Oct 2024, 03:11 PM



A sedition case has been filed against 19 individuals, including two from the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (Iskcon), for allegedly hoisting a saffron flag over Bangladesh’s national flag at Chittagong's New Market intersection on October 25.

The case was filed on Wednesday night by Md Feroze Khan under sedition law at Kotwali police station, said CMP Additional Deputy Commissioner (Media) Kazi Md Tarek Aziz.

Police have detained two individuals, Rajesh Chowdhury and Hriday Das, in the case.

The 19 accused are Chandan Kumar Dhar alias Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, 38, Iskcon’s Chittagong divisional organizing secretary, Ajay Dutta, 34, coordinator of Hindu Jagran Manch’s Chittagong's, Leela Raj Das Brahmachari, 48, principal of the Prabartak Iskcon temple in the city, Gopal Das Tipu, 38, Dr Kathak Das, 40, Amit Dhar, 38, Roni Das, 38, Rajib Das, 32, Krishna Kumar Dutta, 52, Jiku Chowdhury, 40, Newton Dey, 38, Tushar Chakraborty Rajib, 28, Mithun Dey, 35, Rupan Dhar, 35, Rimon Dutta, 28, Sukanta Das, 28, Biswajit Gupta, 42, Rajesh Chowdhury, 28, and Hriday Das, 25.

Additionally, 15-20 unidentified individuals are included as accused in the case.

According to the case documents, during a rally at Laldighi Maidan, a religious flag associated with Iskcon was reportedly placed over the national flag.

The case statement alleges that this act constituted a “desecration” and “contempt for the country’s sovereignty,” saying the accused engaged in “treasonous activities to destabilize the country by fostering an anarchic environment.”

A photo of the flags recently went viral on social media and drew criticism, prompting its subsequent removal.​

ISKCON involved in attack on joint forces in Ctg incident: Police
A police officer faces acid attack



Chattogram Metropolitan Police has revealed that the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) was involved in the attack on law enforcement and acid throwing in the Hazari Gali area of Chattogram, triggered by a Facebook post.

The incident led to vandalism, tension, and the attack on security forces.

Police have said those involved in the attack were heard shouting "Jai Shree Ram."

At a press conference held today at the city's Dampara Police Lines, Chattogram Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner (Crime and Operations) Md Roish Uddin detailed the incident.

Earlier that day, a press conference by the joint forces had outlined the events of the attack.

According to the police, nine officers were injured in the attack, including Assistant Commissioner Mahfuzur Rahman of the Kotwali Zone and police members – Saiful Islam, Bipul Bapari, Abu Sayem Sejan, Sayeed Hasan, Foyez, Naim, Ashikur, and Shahjahan Hossain Shaon.

Foyez was injured by acid and is currently being treated at Chattogram Medical College Hospital.

Roish Uddin said, "The attackers chanted "Jai Shree Ram." Our investigation indicates ISKCON supporters were behind the incident, triggered by a Facebook post. The crowd trapped Osman Ali, and when police arrived, they tried to free him. The situation escalated, with bricks and acid thrown at officers, injuring nine, one of whom was burned by acid."

A total of 82 people have been arrested in connection with the attack.

The deputy police commissioner said the majority of those detained are believed to be ISKCON supporters, though some Muslims may also be involved, and investigations are ongoing.

Regarding Osman Ali, the person who posted about ISKCON on Facebook, the deputy commissioner added, "Osman Ali is currently in custody. If any religious insult is brought forward against him, we will take legal action."

Meanwhile, a case has been filed at the Kotwali Police Station of CMP, naming 82 individuals and accusing between 500 to 600 people in connection with the attack on law enforcement.

The case was filed by Sub-Inspector Mizanur Rahman of Kotwali Police Station, CMP Additional Deputy Commissioner (Media) Kazi Md Tarek Aziz told TBS.

Police said the incident in Hazari Gali began on 5 November around 5:30pm when tension erupted after a Facebook post critical of ISKCON was shared. A group of people, reportedly Hindus, attacked shops in the area.

Upon receiving the information, police, army, and border guards arrived at the scene, where they rescued Osman Ali and his brother.

ISKCON denies involvement

ISKCON has denied any involvement in the violence, issuing a statement signed by the General Secretary of ISKCON Bangladesh Sri Charu Chandra Das Brahmachari.

The statement says following the recent violent events in Chattogram, there have been attempts to wrongly link ISKCON Bangladesh to the incidents, damaging our religious and social reputation.

"We strongly condemn this false information and want to make it clear that ISKCON Bangladesh is a peaceful, non-political religious group dedicated to promoting harmony, religious tolerance, and human welfare, both in Bangladesh and worldwide."

"We also condemn the recent attack and vandalism in Hazari Gali and state clearly that ISKCON has no connection to these events, despite what is being reported on social media and in the news," says the statement.​

Keep calm, refrain from violence
Urges Prof Yunus; student leaders call on all to be vigilant



Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus yesterday condemned the murder of a lawyer in the port city of Chattogram.

He has ordered an investigation into the killing and appropriate legal course, read a Facebook post of his Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam.

The CA has urged people to keep calm and refrain from engaging in any untoward activities, it said.

He has also ordered law enforcement agencies to step up security in the port city, including in all the vulnerable neighbourhoods.

The interim government is committed to ensuring and upholding communal harmony in Bangladesh at any cost, it added.

Earlier in the day, Saiful Islam Alif, a 32-year-old lawyer was killed during a clash between police and followers of former ISKCON leader Chandan Kumar Dhar, alias Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, in the Chattogram Court Building area.

On his verified Facebook page, Information Adviser Nahid Islam said that the killers of Saiful would face strict punishment.

''Since the beginning, the interim government has sincerely considered the demands of the minority communities. However, Chinmoy Krishna Das has been trying to create communal divisions by delivering false and provocative speeches at various meetings and rallies.''

"Despite being charged with sedition, Chinmoy Krishna continued to hold meetings without taking any legal action. The primary goal of such activities was to attract global media attention and portray Bangladesh and the July uprising in a negative way. Indian media has consistently engaged in such false propaganda."

Terming the killing of a lawyer at Chattogram court premises as unprecedented, Nahid said Chinmoy was planning to disrupt harmony in the country and had created a group of criminal supporters.

"The fascist Awami League has always sought to engage in communal politics by exploiting minority communities. Now, Indian media is also spreading false propaganda..."

Nahid said the Hindu community are citizens of Bangladesh, and the government would ensure their security.

"However, the Bangladesh government will ensure the maximum legal punishment for the subversive Hindu terrorists."

Nahid urged the people of the country to remain patient and calm, saying that the criminals would soon be arrested.

DON'T BE FOOLED BY CONSPIRATORS: HASNAT

Hasnat Abdullah, convener of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, urged people across the country to remain calm.

"Please stay patient and calm. Do not take the law into your own hands or create any kind of unstable environment,'' Hasnat said this in his verified Facebook post yesterday.

"Our Bangladesh is a country of communal harmony. We will not allow anyone to disrupt this harmony under any circumstances.

"Since August 5, a certain group has been deliberately conspiring to create chaos in our country. Please do not get involved in internal conflicts and inadvertently pave the way for these conspirators to realise their heinous plans."

In his Facebook post, Hasnat Abdullah demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of Saiful's killers.

In a separate Facebook post yesterday, Hasnat called upon all stakeholders of the July uprising to remain vigilant and form "Night Watch Teams" in their localities.

"We seek the cooperation of the general public to ensure that no one can exploit the country's instability to carry out destructive attacks on our minority brothers and sisters.''

Hasnat said, ''We will always remain vocal in safeguarding the July uprising, protecting the sovereignty of our country, and ensuring the safety of the general populace.''

Meanwhile, in a separate Facebook post, Sarjis Alam, general secretary of July Shaheed Smrity Foundation, said if any individual, terrorist group, or organisation attempts to incite communal riots using religion as a "tool", strict measures must be taken against them.

He said, "Whoever is involved, we demand the highest punishment for murder. No leniency for conspirators. Too much leniency will embolden them."

Sarjis also emphasised that extremism should be judged not by religion but by the act of extremism itself.

The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement has announced a mourning and solidarity rally for Advocate Saiful at the Central Shaheed Minar at 2:00pm today.​

Arrest of Chinmoy: Lawyer killed amid clashes in Chattogram


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A lawyer was killed during clashes between police and followers of former ISKCON leader Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari in the Chattogram Court Building area yesterday.

The clashes that left at least 10 people injured began shortly before midday when a court sent Chinmoy to jail, rejecting his bail plea in a sedition case.

The deceased, 32-year-old Saiful Islam, was a member of Chattogram District Bar Association.

Citing eyewitnesses, Nazim Uddin Chowdhury, president of Chattogram District Bar Association, said some people protesting over Chimoy's arrest hacked Saiful to death in front of the main gate of the court premises around 3:30pm. He was pronounced dead upon arrival at Chittagong Medical College Hospital around 4:00pm.

Mohammad Didar, an employee of Golam Rasul Market, who along with some other locals rescued Saiful and took him to the hospital, told The Daily Star, "Some Chinmoy followers hacked the lawyer on the road next to Rangam Convention Hall."

CMCH director Taslim Uddin told AFP, "He had deep injuries on his head."

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has condemned the murder of the lawyer and ordered an investigation and appropriate legal course.

BAIL REJECTED, CLASH

Chinmoy was taken to the court around 10:30am. Metropolitan Magistrate Kazi Shariful Islam sent him to jail, rejecting the prayer for his bail after over an hour-long hearing.

Following the court order, lawyers who support him and his followers burst into protests outside the courtroom and stopped the prison van that was taking Chinmoy to jail. They also punctured a tire of the vehicle.

Chinmoy was heard calling upon his followers to remain calm from inside the bus.

"We are not against the state and the government. We, the Sanatanis, are a part of the state.... We will not do anything to destabilise the state and destroy peaceful coexistence. We will hold a peaceful protest by controlling our emotions and turning them into strength," he said.

At 2:50pm, members of the BGB and police fired several stun grenades and charged batons to disperse the demonstrators. Chinmoy's supporters hurled flower pots and brick chips towards police.

Police had to take Chinmoy to the jail in another vehicle, said CMP's Deputy Commissioner Rais Uddin.

Several cars, motorcycles, and a lawyer's chamber were vandalised on the ground floor of the Court Building Masjid Complex, said police and eyewitnesses.

Chattogram District Bar Association announced that lawyers will be on strike today to protest the murder, said Nazim Uddin Chowdhury.

Around 4:00pm, a group of lawyers began marching denouncing the vandalism and hurled brickbats towards Chinmoy's supporters.

Police later brought the situation under control.

Chinmoy, spokesperson for Sammilita Sanatani Jagaran Jote, was arrested at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka on Monday.

On October 31, a case was filed against him and 18 others in Chattogram on charges of disrespecting the national flag.

The Jote issued a statement last night, stating the group that killed the lawyer was trying to shift the blame on Hindus.

It demanded a judicial probe into the killing. If an investigation is carried out in collaboration with international organisations such as the United Nations and other human rights organisations, the facts will come out.

"We believe in peaceful programmes and are committed to maintaining the stability," it said.

Kanchan Acharjee, a central leader of the Jote, told The Daily Star that those who killed the lawyer must be brought to book.

Many people of the Hindu community gathered on the court premises and peacefully demonstrated for Chinmoy's release, he said.

But law enforcers attacked and dispersed them, he said, adding that the news of the lawyer's death came later.

"We have no idea who killed him," Kanchan said.

CHINMOY ARRESTED FOR SEDITION: ASIF

Local Government Adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan yesterday said Chinmoy was arrested as someone accused of sedition, not as a leader of a community.

"The government will take strict action against any act of sedition that threatens the sovereignty and independence of Bangladesh. Let it be clear to all: no one, regardless of their position or influence, will be spared if involved in such activities," he said during an event.

Home Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said, "There are many parties with vested interests that may be behind this. The parties which are banned might also be involved. No matter who, stern action will be taken in this regard."

ATTACKS, PROTESTS

At the Dhakeshwari temple in the capital, Sumon Kumar Roy, one of the Jote leaders, said attacks on several temples and chambers of Hindu lawyers have been reported in Chattogram.

Earlier in the day, Jagaran Jote demonstrated in Thakurgaon and Dinajpur in protest at the court decision to reject Chinmoy's bail petition.

Bangladesh Nationalist Lawyers' Forum has announced a demonstration at 1:00pm today in the Supreme Court as well as in all district bar associations across the country, in protest at the murder.

In Bandarban, pro-BNP lawyers, Jamaat, and Shibir announced they would demonstrate today against the killing.

Meanwhile, Jamaat Ameer Shafiqur Rahman condemned Saiful's murder, referring to him as a "beloved party member".

He demanded strict legal action against those involved.

Shafiqur also urged people not to take the law into their own hands under any circumstances.

"A certain group, siding with a fallen autocrat, is continuously conspiring and attempting to destabilise Bangladesh. Through provocations, they aim to create unrest. Just as their attempts have failed in the past, they will fail again in the future, Insha'Allah."​

Chinmoy arrested for sedition, not as community leader: Asif Mahmud

Photo: Star

Adviser to the Ministry of Youth and Sports and Local Government, Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, today clarified that Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari has been arrested on charges of sedition, not as a leader of any community.

He made the remarks during an event at Paotana College field in Rangpur's Pirgachha upazila, where winter clothing was distributed to underprivileged families.

"The government will take strict action against any act of sedition that threatens the sovereignty and independence of Bangladesh. Let it be clear to all: no one, regardless of their position or influence, will be spared if involved in such activities," Asif said.

He stressed that law enforcement agencies act in the interest of national security, without any communal bias.

Touching on development disparities, Asif said, "In the past, development in the country was concentrated in areas tied to prime ministers and ministers. We aim to eliminate such inequality and ensure nationwide progress."

Referring to the historic 2024 mass uprising, he said, "The uprising emerged from people's dreams of an equitable democracy. The platform from which it arose remains significant. We sought a democracy free from discrimination."

On Rangpur's development, the adviser said, "During Sheikh Hasina's tenure, districts like Gopalganj have seen significant progress, while others faced neglect. Rangpur will no longer be subjected to such disparities. Special attention will be given to Rangpur in the national budget."

He also mentioned plans to improve union parishad services through alternative arrangements.

Later, nearly 600 winter garments and blankets were distributed to vulnerable families. Relatives of those martyred in the 2024 uprising shared their stories of hardship during the event.

Following the programme, Asif Mahmud visited the proposed site for a bridge over the Teesta River at Panialen Ghat, connecting Rangpur's Pirgachha and Kurigram's Ulipur. Hundreds of locals gathered at the site to demand the construction of the bridge.

Additionally, the adviser inaugurated the newly constructed Pirgachha Upazila Parishad building.​