Bangladesh Minority Alliance Raises Concerns Over Anti-ISKCON Propaganda

In a troubling development that has heightened tensions in Bangladesh, extremist groups are orchestrating a coordinated misinformation campaign targeting religious minorities, particularly the Hindu community and the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).

The unrest stems from a recent incident involving Mufti Mohammad Mohibullah Miaji, the Khatib of TNT BTCL Colony Jame Mosque in Tongi, Gazipur. According to reports, Miaji was found in a compromising situation—bound and unclothed—near Helipad Bazar in Panchagarh. While details of the incident remain unclear, radical groups have seized upon it to fuel anti-Hindu sentiment across the country.

These groups are allegedly using the incident as pretext to incite violence against Hindu communities, threatening killings, temple vandalism, and destruction of religious icons. Their actions have created widespread fear and insecurity among religious minorities throughout Bangladesh.

The Minority Unity Alliance, coordinated by the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, has issued a strong condemnation of these developments. The coalition, representing numerous minority religious and cultural organizations, warns that extremist sectarian forces are deliberately attempting to sow communal division with the apparent goal of driving minorities from the country.

“With national elections approaching, these groups are spreading dangerous false propaganda among innocent citizens, potentially triggering violence at an unprecedented scale,” a representative of the Alliance stated.

The situation has been exacerbated by what the Alliance describes as a disturbing silence from government authorities. Despite the escalating threats against minorities occurring “right under the watch of the government and administration,” officials have been accused of either remaining passive or outright denying the existence of such incidents.

The Alliance has also expressed disappointment that democratic political parties, civil society organizations, and progressive social movements have not taken more visible action to counter the rising tide of communal hatred.

Bangladesh has a complex history of communal tensions. Hindus represent approximately 8 percent of the predominantly Muslim country’s population, and they have frequently faced discrimination and targeted violence, particularly during periods of political instability. ISKCON, which maintains numerous temples throughout Bangladesh, has previously been targeted during episodes of religious unrest.

The Minority Unity Alliance has issued urgent calls for government intervention, demanding “immediate, effective, and decisive actions” to halt the ongoing violence against religious minorities. Their demands include stopping the planned disinformation campaign targeting Hindus, preventing false narratives against ISKCON, ensuring protection for all minority families and religious sites, and bringing perpetrators to justice without delay.

The coalition has also appealed to “democratic, secular, and humanitarian citizens” across Bangladesh, including media professionals and political leaders, to stand united against what they characterize as communal hatred, lies, and incitement.

The Alliance represents a broad coalition of minority rights organizations, including the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad, Bangladesh Bouddha Federation, Bangladesh Christian Association, and dozens of other religious, cultural, and advocacy groups.

As Bangladesh prepares for its upcoming national elections, analysts warn that communal tensions could further intensify if not addressed promptly. The targeting of religious minorities has often coincided with electoral periods in the country’s history, raising concerns that the current wave of misinformation could be politically motivated.

International human rights organizations have frequently called on Bangladesh to strengthen protections for religious minorities and hold accountable those who incite or commit acts of violence against vulnerable communities.