Several Islamic organisations, including the civic platform Intifada Bangladesh, have demanded a nationwide ban on the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) and called for punitive action against the group.
The organisations allege that ISKCON has been involved in activities disrespecting Islam and its followers.
The demand was made on Friday after Jummah prayers at the north gate of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, where the platform Intifada Bangladesh held a rally and protest.
Speakers at the event accused ISKCON of creating religious tension and criticised the authorities for what they described as inaction.
The protesters said that despite ongoing religious instability in the country, they had remained patient. However, they warned that if the interim government failed to ban ISKCON and take punitive action against its members, they would be compelled to intensify street protests.
Referring to the recent killing of lawyer Alif in Chattogram and the abduction and assault of a religious scholar, the speakers alleged that similar killings and “crimes against humanity” had taken place before, yet the government had remained silent.
They demanded swift investigation and justice for ISKCON’s alleged offenses.
Following the rally, members and activists of Intifada Bangladesh, joined by other like-minded Islamic groups, brought out a protest march that concluded at Shapla Chattar in Motijheel.
