Hindu community leaders today expressed deep concern over recent incidents of misinformation, threats, and harassment targeting ISKCON Bangladesh and other religious minorities.
They urged the government to take effective measures to safeguard national unity and peace and called upon citizens to stand united against divisive forces.
They came up with the call at a joint press conference organised by several Hindu religious organisations in Dhaka.
Charu Chandra Das Brahmachari, general secretary of ISKCON, read out the written statement at the event.
He said that certain groups with vested interest are deliberately spreading falsehoods, rumours, and propaganda against ISKCON and the Hindu community in an attempt to disrupt Bangladesh's longstanding tradition of religious harmony and social cohesion.
ISKCON is being falsely portrayed on social media as a "militant" and "extremist" organisation, he added.
Threats of violence against ISKCON devotees, calls to destroy temples, and incidents of workplace harassment have been reported, Charu Brahmachari said.
"ISKCON is a non-political, humanitarian religious institution rooted in Gaudiya Vaishnavism, which promotes peace, nonviolence, and interfaith respect. For decades, ISKCON has been dedicated to spreading messages of compassion, brotherhood, and service to humanity. The speakers alleged that certain groups are intentionally trying to distort this image for their own agenda,'' he added.
Three specific demands were placed before the authorities: swift legal action against those involved in inciting communal violence, enhanced security for all temples and religious institutions, and strict monitoring of social media to curb the spread of provocative misinformation.
The press conference was chaired by ISKCON Bangladesh President Satya Ranjan Baroi. Its Vice President Srimat Bhakti Binoy Swami Maharaj, Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council President Professor Nim Chandra Bhowmik, Sammilito Sanatan Parishad President Professor Hirendra Nath Biswas, and Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad President Basudev Dhar were present at the event.