On the morning of November 26, 2024 (Bangladesh time), ISKCON Bangladesh released the following official statement:

Statement from ISKCON Bangladesh regarding the current situation in Bangladesh and the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das

We express our serious concern and strongly denounce the recent arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das, spokesperson for the “Bangladesh Sammilito Sanatani Jagaran Jot”. We also condemn the subsequent violence and attacks against Sanatanis in various regions of Bangladesh. We urge the government authorities to promote peaceful coexistence for the Sanatani community.

As a representative of the “Bangladesh Sammilito Sanatani Jagaran Jot” and a Bangladeshi citizen, Chinmoy Krishna Das has been a vocal advocate for the protection of minority groups in the nation. It is essential to uphold his right to free speech and to support his efforts to encourage others to defend this right. Ensuring justice and fair treatment for him is crucial.

Chinmoy Krishna Das and the Sanatani community deserve justice as citizens of this country, and we stress that any form of discrimination against them must not be tolerated.

Our Demands to the Government and Relevant Authorities:

1. Identify and hold accountable those responsible for the attacks on the Sanatani community.
2. Protect the civil rights of Chinmoy Krishna Das and other Sanatanis.
3. Implement immediate and effective measures to maintain peace and harmony among all communities in the country.

As a leading Sanatani organization within the Gaudiya Vaishnav tradition, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in Bangladesh is dedicated to safeguarding the religious freedoms and rights of minorities, including Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, and others.

We have consistently urged the interim goverment and other leaders to ensure constitutional protections for minorities and to facilitate their full and unrestricted participation in society. We call on the government and administration to take prompt and effective actions in consultation with leaders of the Sanatani community to address these concerns.

Bangladesh is our birthplace and ancestral home. We take pride in being citizens of this nation, where many of our Acharyas and saints were born. As citizens, we are committed to peacefully collaborating with both the current and future governments of Bangladesh. We ask the government and authorities to ensure justice for all and to allow every citizen to practice their religion freely, in accordance with their beliefs and conscience.

ISKCON Bangladesh remains devoted to peaceful coexistence and the promotion of human values. We hope that the government and relevant authorities will recognize the situation and take peaceful actions to restore harmony and guide the nation toward communal unity.

We encourage everyone to practice religious tolerance and avoid any provocative actions.

Sincerely.

Charu Chandra Das Brahmachari, General Secretary, ISKCON Bangladesh