Global ISKCON devotees unite in prayer amid attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh after Chinmoy Krishna Das arrest

A fresh wave of unrest has gripped Bangladesh following the arrest of Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das and the increasing attacks on temples by radical groups. Since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government in August, more than 200 Hindu temples have been targeted, prompting widespread fear and protests. In response, devotees of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) have gathered in temples worldwide to pray for the protection of Hindus in Bangladesh and for the restoration of peace.

At the ISKCON temple in Kolkata, devotees gathered for prayers and kirtans to seek Lord Krishna’s intervention.

ISKCON Kolkata Vice President Shri Radharaman Das, speaking to AajTak, said, “The situation has become so bad that no one understands how it can be fixed. Just as Draupadi cried out to Lord Krishna when no one else came to her aid, today, the devotees of Bangladesh are chanting in the same way, appealing to Krishna for help.”

The prayers come amid mounting violence against the Hindu community. Chinmoy Krishna Das, a prominent Hindu monk, was arrested a few days ago on charges of sedition, sparking mass protests and clashes with security forces.

In light of the continuing attacks, both on temples and individuals, ISKCON devotees worldwide have come together in prayer, calling for peace and the safety of the Hindu community in Bangladesh. Shri Radharaman Das expressed the collective sentiment, saying, “We protested and lost, so we turned to God. It is said that God’s door is always open when all else fails.”

His arrest has further inflamed tensions, leading to widespread demonstrations not only in Bangladesh but also in India. The protests, which demand justice for the Hindu community and an end to the violence, have intensified in recent days.

ISKCON itself has been targeted in Bangladesh, with a petition calling for its ban on grounds of being a “religious fundamentalist organisation”.

However, the Bangladesh government has declined to impose a ban, with the country’s courts rejecting the petition.

Despite this, the government continues to describe ISKCON as a “fundamentalist” group, while India has expressed concern over the safety of the Hindu community in Bangladesh.

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has urged the Bangladesh government to ensure the protection of minorities and to uphold communal harmony.

The Indian government has also addressed the issue of Chinmoy Krishna Das’s arrest, calling for fair and transparent legal processes. “We hope and expect that these processes will be dealt with justly, ensuring respect for all individuals involved,” the MEA stated.