Iskcon holds Sankirtanfor peace in Bangladesh

Bengaluru: In response to the escalating violence against the Hindu community in Bangladesh, more than 200 people came together at Iskcon Rajajinagar to express solidarity with the affected minorities. People were seen holding placards and staging demonstrations in front of the temple while chanting ‘Harinam Sankirtan'. The event was part of a global initiative by the Iskcon movement to raise awareness about the plight of Hindus and other vulnerable groups facing targeted attacks in Bangladesh.Madhu Pandit Das, president of Iskcon Bengaluru and global mentor of the Hare Krishna movement, said, "Being one of the largest temples, we feel it is our duty to call for the protection of the rights of Hindu minorities, especially devotees, and their right to live peacefully. These rights were violated, and today, all devotees are living in fear. It is the Bangladesh govt's duty to ensure safety and instill a sense of security against such attacks."He added, "What happened is unfortunate, and it seems the govt was misinformed about what we represent. We are not a terrorist organisation. Today, we held a peaceful protest in the form of prayers to Lord Krishna. Everyone should have the freedom to practise their religion without disturbing public order, and this is precisely what we stand for. The events in Bangladesh are why we came forward to raise our voices."Iskcon monk Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari was arrested in Bangladesh on Nov 25. This was followed by the arrests of his two associates Saturday. The monk's arrest led to widespread protests by the Hindu community in Bangladesh, expressing concerns over escalating violence against minorities.