Bangladesh high court rejects Iskcon ban plea

The Bangladesh high court on Thursday declined to issue a suo motu (voluntary) order to ban Iskcon in Bangladesh, The Daily Star reported.

The court's observation came after being informed that the authorities have taken necessary measures regarding the matter.

Bangladesh Supreme Court lawyer Md Monir Uddin presented newspaper reports on Wednesday about the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (Iskcon) to the high court, requesting a suo motu (voluntary) order to ban the organization and impose Section 144 in Chattogram, Rangpur, and Dinajpur.

In response, the high court asked the attorney general to provide information on the steps taken by the government regarding Iskcon's recent activities.

"The concerns raised by a (Supreme Court) lawyer represent the sentiments of 180 million people of Bangladesh. This is a regrettable incident, a criminal offense, and the government is treating it seriously, with plans for appropriate legal action," attorney general Md Asaduzzaman said on Wednesday when the high court asked him to spell out the government's stand on SC lawyer Moniuzzaman's demand to ban Iskcon.

However, the AG, representing the interim regime backed by Muhammad Yunus, stopped short of backing the lawyer's demand. "We must consider the constitutional implications before taking any decision. That is why I believe it is premature. Let us see how the govt addresses this issue," the attorney general said.

On Thursday, the attorney general's office presented updates to the high court bench of Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice Debasish Roy Chowdhury. The bench expressed hope that the government would remain vigilant in maintaining law and order and protecting the lives and properties of the people of Bangladesh, as reported by The Daily Star.

The scrutiny of Iskcon in Bangladesh has intensified following the arrest of Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari. His detention led to widespread protests across the country, during which several Iskcon temples and other Hindu places of worship were reportedly attacked.

The tensions escalated further after assistant public prosecutor Saiful Islam died during clashes between security personnel and protesters. The clashes occurred after bail was denied to the Hindu monk. In response, a lawyer filed a petition on Wednesday seeking a complete ban on Iskcon's operations in Bangladesh.

The high court, while declining to impose an immediate ban, urged the government to take necessary steps to prevent a worsening of the law and order situation.

Additional attorney general Aneek R Haque and Deputy attorney general Md Asad Uddin informed the court that three cases had been filed in connection with the murder of lawyer Saiful Islam Alif and Iskcon's activities. They also reported that 33 individuals had been arrested in relation to these cases.