ISKCON denies claims of inciting communal riots in Bangladesh

POBNEWS24, Dhaka Oct 24, 2025 : In the wake of recent incidents including arson attacks in various parts of Bangladesh, there is a deliberate attempt to implicate ISKCON Bangladesh on social media and some online platforms. ISKCON said in a press release on Friday that some unscrupulous individuals and groups are conspiring to incite communal riots in the country by spreading hatred against the Hindu community, especially ISKCON, through false information, fake identities and misleading statements.
The press release signed by the organization’s general secretary Charuchandra Brahmachari said that some individuals and groups are threatening the lives of ISKCON devotees, if any Hindu person is involved in any illegal incident, he is being widely promoted as an ISKCON member and even demands are being raised to ban ISKCON, which we believe is clearly a planned part of creating unrest in the country. ISKCON Bangladesh has always respected the government, law and administration of the country. We call on the administration and law enforcement agencies to take prompt action against these rumors, false propaganda and threats, subject to proper investigation, and to provide exemplary punishment to them, thereby drawing the attention of the government and administration to protect the overall peace, order and communal harmony of the country. All devotees and followers of ISKCON Bangladesh, inspired by the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, have been conducting religious and human service activities in a completely peaceful manner and will continue to do so in the future. ISKCON said, we call on people from all walks of life in Bangladesh to verify the truth, do not listen to rumors, maintain peace and harmony, we believe that people of all religions and communities in Bangladesh can build a peaceful society together.
Meanwhile, an organization called “Intifada Bangladesh” held a protest rally on Friday, raising six-point demands, including banning ISKCON. The leaders of the organization raised various demands and complaints at the rally organized at the north gate of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque in the capital after Friday prayers. Intifada Bangladesh Presidium Member Dr. Mehedi Hasan, Member Ahmed Rafiq and Islamic speaker Muhammad Jasimuddin Rahmani spoke at the protest rally. The speakers called for the ban on ISKCON, the arrest of those responsible for the disappearance of an Imam in Tongi, the speedy trial of the Gazipur rape case and condemnation of the state silence. At that time, the organization raised 6 demands.