On Cam, Bangladesh Army Cracks Down On Hindu Protesters As Post Against ISKCON Stirs Row

Last Updated:November 06, 2024, 11:44 IST

The situation got tense in the port city’s Hazari Goli after trader Osman Mollah’s Facebook post calling ISKCON a “terrorist organisation” sparked a row

Bangladeshi Army and police attack Hindu establishments in Chittagong amid protests. (Screengrab)

Bangladeshi security forces have been attacking Hindus in Chittagong after they held protests over a Muslim trader’s derogatory post against the Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) and Sanatana Dharma.

The situation got tense in the port city’s Hazari Goli after trader Osman Mollah’s Facebook post calling ISKCON a “terrorist organisation" sparked a row and protesters staged a protest outside his shop. According to sources Mollah was shifted to a ‘safe custody’.

Later, On Tuesday night, joint forces of police and army conducted an operation and attacked Hindu establishments, videos of which are now being widely circulated.

“A local Muslim youth reportedly uploaded a post on Facebook criticizing ISKCON. The angry Hindu community people protested and clashed with the law-enforcing agencies. They threw bricks and other objects at the police. After the clashes, a joint operation conducted by law enforcing agencies, comprising police and army", Saifuddin Tuhin, a local reporter from Chittagong told news agency ANI over the phone.

“A local youth named Osman posted on Facebook demanding the banning of ISKCON. Law and order forces went there when tension arose. It has been alleged that something like acid was thrown at the law enforcement agencies", said a Hindu community leader.

The leader also noted, “At night, joint forces raided Hazari Goli and arrested about 100 suspects. Some were released after questioning. Due to a power outage during the operation, details about the incident were not known".

As per a report by the Bangla Daily, Prothom Alo, blank shots were also fired during the operation.

Recently, some individuals and groups have demanded a ban on ISKCON in Bangladesh. ISKCON leaders in Dhaka recently asked “Amar Desh" editor Mahmudur Rahman to apologize for demanding the banning of ISKCON. A group called “Inqilab Manch" demanded the banning of ISKCON.

ISKCON Monk Seeks PM Modi’s Intervention

ISKCON spokesperson Radharaman Das has sought PM Modi’s intervention in the matter.

“Very disturbing news coming from Chittagong, Hindus have been attacked there. The Army came in and sided with the other community. Don’t know how many people they have killed. They are not sparing anyone. Recently the Muslim student group has done press conference against ISKCON."

“They are rattled as ISKCON has united Hindus there. We would request PM Modi to intervene in this matter," he added.

Hindus, who make up about 8 per cent of Bangladesh’s 170 million population, have traditionally supported Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League party, which has faced backlash following violent clashes between anti-quota protesters and security forces last month.

On August 5, a student-led movement ousted Bangladesh’s Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, after weeks of protests and clashes that killed over 600 people. Hasina, 76, fled to India on August 5 and an interim government led by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus was formed.

News world On Cam, Bangladesh Army Cracks Down On Hindu Protesters As Post Against ISKCON Stirs Row