Taslima Nasreen slams Bangladesh’s Islamist extremists for persecuting minorities; criticizes Hefazat-e-Islam’s call to ban ISKCON

Bangladeshi Hindus face crackdown amid targeted violence, temple attacks

Author and social activist Taslima Nasreen has raised alarm over the increasing persecution of minorities in Bangladesh, particularly in the face of growing threats from Islamist extremists.

In a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter), Nasreen condemned the recent call by the far-right Islamic group Hefazat-e-Islam to ban the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), a global Hindu religious organization with followers in Bangladesh.

Nasreen shared her deep concern, writing: “The Chittagong-based group Hefazat-e-Islam has called for a ban on ISKCON. Today, their slogan was: ‘Catch one ISKCON, then slaughter.’ Hefazat-e-Islam has called for terrorism. They want to kill ISKCON members.” Hefazat-e-Islam, which is closely tied to qawmi madrasas in Bangladesh, is known for its extremely conservative Islamic views and its calls for stricter Sharia law in the country.

In her posts, Nasreen questioned the rationale behind such hostility toward ISKCON, stating: “Is ISKCON a terrorist organization that it should be banned? Have ISKCON members ever killed anyone while loudly chanting ‘Hare Krishna, Hare Rama’? On the other hand, Islamic terrorists shout ‘Allahu Akbar’ while killing people.” Nasreen’s remarks draw attention to the stark contrast between the actions of ISKCON, a peaceful religious organization, and the violence carried out by extremists shouting Islamic slogans.

Nasreen also pointed to the growing threat faced by religious minorities in Bangladesh, particularly Hindus, and the challenges they face in a country where extremist groups like Hefazat-e-Islam hold significant influence. “ISKCON exists in many countries around the world and faces no such issues, but in Bangladesh, it does. Why? Because there are large numbers of Islamists and jihadists who cannot tolerate people of other religions. They use all tactics to harm non-Muslims or drive them out of the country,” she wrote.

Referring to the ongoing persecution of Hindus and the rise of Islamist extremism, Nasreen called attention to the role of Hefazat-e-Islam in instigating violence against religious minorities. “Hefazat-e-Islam is playing the role of terrorists here, while ISKCON is the persecuted minority,” she added.

The ISKCON movement, also known as the Hare Krishna movement, has followers across the world and is widely respected for promoting peace and spirituality. However, in Bangladesh, the group has faced increasing threats from radical Islamist factions who oppose religious diversity and tolerance.

The ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August, was an event that led to increased violence against the Hindu minority. Since the political upheaval, the safety of non-Muslims has become a significant concern, with reports of attacks on Hindu temples, homes, and individuals.

This attack on ISKCON comes at a time of heightened tension in the region, with many questioning the commitment of Bangladesh’s secular government to protect the rights of religious minorities.

The increasing frequency of attacks on Hindu temples and individuals has raised doubts about the country’s religious freedom, prompting calls for greater protection and safeguards for the minority community.

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