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The escalating violence against Hindu minorities in Bangladesh has prompted the Iskcon Kolkata chapter to issue urgent safety advisories to its monks and followers in the neighboring country. The advice, stark and precautionary, urges monks to conceal their religious identity in public spaces to avoid becoming targets of violence. This includes avoiding the wearing of saffron clothing, concealing tulsi beads, removing vermilion tilak from their foreheads, and covering their heads. The urgency of the situation is underscored by the recent experiences of numerous Iskcon monks who have faced threats, harassment, and even physical assault in public.
The advisory issued by Iskcon Kolkata vice-president Radharamn Das highlights the precarious situation faced by Hindu religious figures in Bangladesh. The recommendation to blend into the general populace, effectively abandoning overt displays of faith in public, speaks volumes about the severity of the threats. The fact that even subtle identifiers, such as saffron strings worn discreetly under clothing, are advised against, underscores the pervasive nature of the danger. This is not simply a matter of personal safety; it's a suppression of religious freedom and practice.
The recent events surrounding the arrest of Hindu leader and Iskcon member Chinmoy Krishna Das on charges of sedition have further exacerbated the situation. The subsequent arrests of two of his juniors who attempted to deliver him medicine, coupled with the reported inaccessibility of his secretary, paint a picture of a crackdown on religious figures. The inability to even make contact with Chinmoy's secretary further points to the potential for intimidation and interference, making it difficult to accurately assess the legal proceedings and advocate for his defense. The inability to ensure the safety of legal representation, with reports of lawyers being threatened and attacked, further illustrates the systemic nature of the issue.
The special prayer conducted by Iskcon members at the Radha Govinda temple for Chinmoy Krishna Das's release demonstrates the community's deep concern and solidarity. The prayer, held a day before his court appearance, underscores the spiritual significance of the situation and the collective hope for his release and safety. However, the reported attack and injury of the lawyer intended to represent Das in court only highlights the immense difficulties faced in obtaining justice and fair legal representation under these circumstances. The targeting of legal professionals is a worrying sign that suggests not only an attack on individual religious members but also a systematic effort to stifle any form of legal or social challenge to the current situation.
The incident involving 63 Iskcon monks – all Bangladeshi nationals wearing saffron – being prevented from crossing into India between Saturday and Sunday while others were allowed passage adds another layer to this complex situation. This suggests a possible targeted and discriminatory border control policy or practice. The differential treatment suggests a level of government complicity or at least a lack of effective protection for members of the minority community, highlighting the larger political and systemic issues at play beyond individual instances of violence.
The advice from Iskcon Kolkata serves not only as a practical guide for self-preservation but also as a poignant indicator of the wider climate of fear and insecurity facing Hindu minorities in Bangladesh. The need to effectively ‘hide’ one’s faith in public to ensure personal safety reflects a tragic failure to protect religious freedom and uphold the basic human rights of a vulnerable community. The situation calls for international attention and action to address the root causes of the violence and ensure the safety and security of religious minorities in Bangladesh.
Source: Iskcon Kolkata Urges Bangladeshi Monks to Avoid Saffron and Tilak Amid Rising Violence