Hindus Safe In Bangladesh, No Plan To Ban ISKCON: Yunus’s Press Secretary To News18

Last Updated:November 29, 2024, 20:00 IST

After Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das's arrest, Shafikul Islam, press secretary to Bangladesh’s Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus said that India should not have issued a statement on the “internal matter”

Prominent Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das had recently raised concerns about the safety of Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh following a regime change. (IMAGE: X)

Shafikul Islam, press secretary to Bangladesh’s Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, on Friday said that Hindus were “safe" in the country and there were no plans to ban Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). He, however, added that India should not have issued a statement on the “internal matter".

Talking to CNN-News18, Islam said, “Hindus are safe in Bangladesh. An ⁠industrial level disinformation campaign is going on. I request you to come and cover on ground…Bangladesh witnessed violence in the initial few days and the situation is now under control."

The country has seen violent protests led by minorities after Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das was arrested earlier this week on sedition charges and was denied bail.

‘DAS WILL GET FAIR TRIAL’

“We will make sure Das gets a fair trial," Islam said.

A High Court in Bangladesh on Thursday refused to pass an order to ban ISKCON in the country after it came to know that authorities have taken necessary actions to address the matter.

A Supreme Court lawyer Md Monir Uddin had presented newspaper reports before a high court bench and urged to issue a suo motu (voluntary) ban on ISKCON’s activities in Bangladesh.

The petition alleges that ISKCON has been involved in “radical activities" that “threaten" national security and stir communal violence, according to a report by Dhaka Tribune.

“I don’t know about the case trial but ISKCON will not be banned in Bangladesh.

COMMUNAL TENSION

Islam admitted there was tension in Chattogarh. “The ⁠chief adviser visited temples and spoke to Hindu leaders."

When asked about US President-elect Donald Trump’s stance, Islam said, “What Trump said must be the Hindu diaspora group told him when he will become president he would get the real picture from embassy in Dhaka."

During his campaigning, Trump had raised concerns on the state of minorities in Bangladesh. Former U S Commission on Religious Freedom (USCIRF) Commissioner Johnnie Moore, in a recent interview to ANI, described the plight of minorities in Bangladesh as an “existential threat" not only for the country’s minorities but also for the nation itself. “Donald Trump is coming to town in Washington DC and he’s coming to town with an incredible team of advocates for American values, that view countries like India as indispensable allies in shaping the future of the world," he added.

ON INDIA

Islam, however, said that India should not have issued a statement on the incident. “The Indian government should not have issued a statement. It is our internal matter. We never comment on what happens in India."

India had expressed “deep concern" on the arrest and denial of bail to Das, who is also the spokesperson of the Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatan Jagran Jote.

“This incident follows the multiple attacks on Hindus and other minorities by extremist elements in Bangladesh. There are several documented cases of arson and looting of minorities’ homes and business establishments, as well as theft and vandalism and desecration of deities and temples. It is unfortunate that while the perpetrators of these incidents remain at large, charges should be pressed against a religious leader presenting legitimate demands through peaceful gatherings. We also note with concern the attacks on minorities protesting peacefully against the arrest of Shri Das. We urge Bangladesh authorities to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and all minorities, including their right of freedom of peaceful assembly and expression," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had said in a statement.

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