Shafikul Islam, a press secretary for Bangladesh said the country’s Hindu minority is ‘safe’ amid tensions over the detention of a Hindu priest at Dhaka on sedition charges. In an interview with CNN-News18, Islam affirmed that the government does not want to ban the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), which a growing number of people, including a member of Parliament, have demanded it be outlawed.
A Hindu organization has breathed a sign of relief from the Bangladesh High Court which has dismissed a petition seeking that ISKCON’s activities be banned. The Islam said, “I don’t know about case trial part but ISKCON will not be banned in Bangladesh.”
The unrest of minority communities came to its open after his bail was denied when he was arrested. These disturbances, Islam said, were acknowledged and the situation was being brought under control; ‘Hindus are safe in Bangladesh.’ Initial unrest has been fueled by disinformation campaigns but there are measures in place to counter it.”
Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus has also revolved with Hindu community leaders, even making a visit to temples to ease tensions. In what’s become a common theme at bomb sites, Islam spoke of the government’s commitment to ensuring Das receives a fair trial and to quell the unrest in areas like Chattogram, where there are daily protests aimed at reforming the law.
Islamic, who had criticized the latest condemnation by India of the arrest, railed against New Delhi’s response as unwarranted interference. “There should be no statement by the Indian government.” It is our internal matter. “We never comment on what happens in India,” he stated.
But India expressed deep concern over Das’s arrest and urged Bangladesh to protect its Hindu minority. The need of their safety and fair treatment was emphasized by the Ministry of External Affairs.
The government’s efforts to restore peace and reassure its Hindu constituents of their safety has brought out sensitive inter religious dynamics in the Bangladesh as well.
