NEW DELHI: A key aide to Bangladesh’s interim government chief adviser, Muhammad Yunus dismissed speculations about a potential ban on the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (Iskcon ), following the controversial arrest of a monk linked to the Hindu organisation.
Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam, speaking to ANI, categorically stated that there were no plans to ban Iskcon , reiterating the government’s position: “We have said it repeatedly, there are no plans to ban Iskcon .”
This statement comes in the wake of growing unrest in Bangladesh after the November 25 arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das, a spiritual leader associated with the Sammilita Sanatani Jagaran Jote, who faced sedition charges, including alleged disrespect of the national flag during a Hindu rally in Dhaka.
Amid political turbulence, Alam hinted that Yunus would soon call for national unity, aiming to counter misinformation and the vested interests that threaten the nation’s stability. “I think we are at a crucial stage. The Chief Adviser will call on all political parties for national unity—unity against misinformation and against those trying to destabilise the country,” Alam said.
Calls for unity amidst growing political challenges
Yunus on Tuesday reportedly met with leaders from various political parties. Asaduzzaman Fuaad, Joint Secretary General of the Amar Bangladesh Party, stated that political parties expressed their support for Yunus’s call for national unity. “Several political parties urged Prof Yunus to take steps to hold elections as soon as possible after implementing the necessary reforms,” Fuaad told reporters.
Meanwhile, Alam accused former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of overseeing widespread human rights abuses during her tenure, describing her as a “mass murderer.” “She has overseen one of the most brutal dictatorships. Under her watch, thousands were killed, thousands disappeared, and millions faced fake charges,” Alam alleged.
Hasina, ousted earlier this year after mass protests, has recently criticised the interim government for persecuting her party, the Awami League, and its leaders. “The current regime, which unlawfully seized power, has failed in every sector,” Hasina said, condemning the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das and attacks on minority communities.
Court petition seeks ban on Indian TV channels
In a related development, a writ petition filed in Bangladesh’s high court seeks a ban on Indian TV channels. Lawyer Ekhlas Uddin Bhuiyan cited the Cable Television Network Operation Act of 2006, advocating for the prohibition of such broadcasts. Alam declined to comment on the matter, calling it “a matter of the court” while reaffirming the government’s commitment to media freedom.
The interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, came to power after mass protests forced Hasina to step down. The administration is facing mounting challenges, including political unrest and concerns over the safety of minorities.
Yunus adviser urges India to recognise ‘Jul-Aug uprising’
A senior aide of Bangladesh’s interim government has also called on India to “unequivocally” recognise the July-August uprising, which led to the overthrow of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Mahfuj Alam, a prominent leader of the Anti-Discrimination Students Movement, made the appeal in a Facebook post on Wednesday. Alam urged India to reconsider its perception of the uprising, which he claimed had been misrepresented as “militant, anti-Hindu, and an Islamist takeover.”
Alam, who is considered a de facto minister in the interim government, emphasised that recognising the July uprising is crucial for resetting bilateral relations between the two nations. “Bypassing the July uprising, the foundation of new Bangladesh will be detrimental to the relationship between both countries,” Alam wrote. He urged India to acknowledge the current realities of Bangladesh, moving away from outdated views dating back to the 1975 military coup.
The July-August uprising, sparked by protests against a controversial job quota system, resulted in the overthrow of Hasina’s five-term government. After Hasina’s departure to India on August 5, Nobel laureate Yunus took office as the Chief Adviser of the interim government. Alam dismissed comparisons to the 1975 coup, which had toppled Bangladesh’s founding leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, calling the July uprising a “democratic, generational, and responsible struggle.”
Strained Dhaka-Delhi relations amid rising tensions
Alam’s remarks come as relations between Bangladesh and India continue to strain, particularly following the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das. Bangladesh has rejected India’s concerns over the alleged vulnerability of the Hindu community in the country, further intensifying diplomatic tensions.
Alam, who was introduced to former US president Bill Clinton as “the brain behind the whole revolution,” condemned India’s portrayal of the uprising. “India should change the Post ’75 playbook and realise the new Bangladesh realities,” he wrote. His statement suggested that Indian propagandas against the uprising had failed, and that Bangladesh’s current struggle represented a more democratic movement.
As Bangladesh navigates its political crisis, Alam warned that any attempt to disregard the significance of the July-August uprising would have long-term consequences on the country’s relationship with India