The Bangladesh High Court has rejected a plea to ‘suo moto’ ban ISKCON, assuring that authorities have taken appropriate measures.
The Bangladesh High Court had received a plea to ban the temple’s activities in Bangladesh. The Bangladesh High Court has said that it would not issue a suo moto order to prohibit the activities of ISKCON in Bangladesh, following assurances that relevant authorities have already taken appropriate steps in this regard.
‘Suo Moto’ is a pivotal legal maxim in judicial proceedings, which refers to the action initiated by a court or an authority on its own accord, without any external petition or request. This proactive approach is essential in upholding justice, allowing legal systems to address issues that may otherwise go unnoticed. The concept of Suo Moto is not only a testament to judicial vigilance but also an embodiment of the law’s inherent responsibility towards society.
During the proceedings, the court stressed the importance of the government maintaining vigilance to safeguard public safety, uphold law and order, and protect lives and property across the country. It has been reported by a Bangladeshi media website- The Daily Star.
The remarks were made after Additional Attorney General Aneek R Haque and Deputy Attorney General Md Asad Uddin informed the bench about ongoing legal actions. They stated that three cases have been filed in connection with the murder of lawyer Saiful Islam Alif and ISKCON’s activities. As many as 33 individuals have been arrested in relation to these cases so far.
As per a source, world media covered the political crisis in Bangladesh, which led Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to leave her post and flee the country. Some mentioned the violence against Rohingya refugees from Myanmar.
Almost no media, however, covered the story of riots against Hindu, Buddhist, and Christian communities by Muslim extremists that took advantage of the political instability. The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council reported dozens of attacks against places of worship and educational institutions of religious minorities. One group especially targeted was ISKCON, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, popularly known as the Hare Krishna movement.
Chinmoy Krishnan Das, the President of ISKCON Pundarik Dham in Chittagong, is seriously worried about the protection of Hindu temples. He has stated that calls for assistance to both the police and Rapid Action Battalion in Chittagong have been ignored, with reports indicating that security personnel have abandoned the area dressed as civilians.
According to the same source, Chinmoy Das stated, “Three temples in Chittagong are under threat, but the Hindu community, along with some members of the Muslim community, have protected them so far. Many Hindus and other minorities are feeling unsafe and are fleeing to India through West Bengal and Tripura.”
On the other hand, most media in the area covered the attack against the ISKCON facility in Meherpur. Reportedly, a bomb was thrown in and the flat rented by ISKCON caught fire. Some statues of the deities were damaged. Happily, three devotees who were in the building managed to escape through a back door.
ISKCON, which has been targeted before in Bangladesh, is keeping a low profile. Devotees told that they are extremely cautious in discussing the riots, because comments on social media and elsewhere normally generate more hostility and violence.
In fact, ISKCON welcomes visitors from all religions and backgrounds as its philosophy is inclusive and aims at educating and enlightening people about the principles of Krishna consciousness regardless of their religious beliefs.
Official press releases insist that ISKCON devotees are “loyal citizens of Bangladesh” and believe the crisis may be resolved through dialogue and prayer.
Educationist/Administrator/Editor/Author/Speaker
Commencing teaching in his early twenties, Prof Aggarwal has diverse experience of great tenure in the top institutions not only as an educationist, administrator, editor, author but also promoting youth and its achievements through the nicest possible content framing. A revolutionary to the core, he is also keen to address the society around him for its betterment and growth on positive notes while imbibing the true team spirit the work force along with.
Comments