Bangladesh Minority Alliance Raises Concerns Over Anti-ISKCON Propaganda

In Bangladesh, a coordinated campaign of misinformation targeting Hindus and the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) has emerged following an alleged incident involving a Muslim cleric. The situation has sparked serious concerns about religious tensions in the country, particularly as national elections approach.

According to reports, Mufti Mohammad Mohibullah Miaji, the Khatib of TNT BTCL Colony Jame Mosque in Tongi, Gazipur, was recently found in a bound and unclothed state near the Helipad Bazar area in Panchagarh. Following this incident, certain groups have reportedly begun using it as a pretext to incite hatred against ISKCON and the broader Hindu community.

The Minority Unity Alliance, coordinated by the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, has issued a strong condemnation of these developments, reporting that extremist sectarian forces are threatening violence against the Hindu minority, including threats of killings, temple vandalism, and destruction of religious deities.

“These extremist groups are deliberately attempting to create communal division and drive minorities out of Bangladesh,” said the Alliance in their statement. They expressed particular concern about the timing of these tensions, noting that false propaganda is being spread among religious citizens ahead of upcoming national elections in a manner they describe as “more dangerous than ever before.”

The Alliance has voiced frustration with what they characterize as the government’s silence on these matters, claiming that authorities are often denying such incidents altogether despite them occurring “right under the watch of the government and administration.” They also expressed disappointment that democratic political parties, civil society, and progressive social forces have not taken a more active role in addressing the situation.

Bangladesh has a history of communal tensions, with religious minorities, particularly Hindus who make up approximately 8% of the population, often facing discrimination and targeted violence. ISKCON, a worldwide Hindu religious organization with a significant presence in Bangladesh, has previously been targeted during periods of religious unrest in the country.

The current wave of misinformation comes at a particularly sensitive time for Bangladesh. The country is preparing for national elections, a period that has historically seen increased communal tensions as political parties sometimes exploit religious divisions for electoral gain.

The Minority Unity Alliance has called for immediate government intervention, demanding effective and decisive actions to halt ongoing violence against religious minorities nationwide. 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 alliance’s membership includes a broad coalition of minority religious and cultural organizations, including the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad, Bangladesh Bouddha Federation, Bangladesh Christian Association, and numerous other Hindu, Buddhist, indigenous, and minority rights organizations.

Human rights observers have long noted that religious minorities in Bangladesh face systemic challenges, including discrimination in access to justice, housing, and employment. International organizations have repeatedly called on Bangladesh to do more to protect its religious minorities and address the root causes of communal violence.

The Alliance has urged all democratic, secular, and humanitarian citizens across Bangladesh, including media professionals and political leaders, to stand united against what they describe as “communal hatred, lies, and incitement,” emphasizing that protecting religious harmony is essential for the country’s stability and democratic development.