Demand For Ban On ISKCON In Bangladesh: Why Hindus Of India Must Offer Unconditional Support To The Organisation

A sculptor, Mrinal Haque, stood defeated, his face etched with sorrow. Beside him, draped in plastic, lay the figure of Lady Justice, just days after being removed from the Bangladesh Supreme Court campus where she once stood as a symbol of justice.

Haque lamented his country's descent into fundamentalist darkness, while Hefazat-e-Islam, the Islamist group responsible for the statue's removal, celebrated their victory. They declared the "idol" a corruption, an affront to their faith.

That was in 2017.

Now, in 2024, the same organization, Hefazat-e-Islam, demands a ban on ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness).

Though lacking formal political power, their influence casts a long shadow across Bangladesh. Their radicalised network, present in all levels of society, holds sway over those in power.

Even previous rulers, considered liberal and tolerant of Hindus, were forced to yield to their demands. The current regime is even more beholden to radical Islamists, repeatedly downplaying Islamist violent attacks on Hindus.

Founded by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, ISKCON has emerged as a prominent face of Hindu traditions in the 20th and 21st centuries. Unlike many proselytising religions often backed by powerful institutions and political forces, Prabhupada ventured into the US as a lone figure, armed only with his faith in Krishna. He was an elderly man, facing health challenges, and lacking the resources to withstand the harsh New York winters. His philosophy, while appealing to the heart, lacked the immediate appeal of, say, Advaita Vedanta.

Yet, he succeeded.

ISKCON defied conventional boundaries of caste, ethnicity, and gender, embracing all who sought the message of the Gita. Their core belief centres on surrendering to the Divine, Sri Krishna, and leading a life free from material desires.

It is a testament to Prabhupada's vision that ISKCON boasts a diverse array of acharyas from across the globe, achieving remarkable success even in Africa, a feat rarely seen among other Vedanta-based movements.

In India, ISKCON has expanded its work to include social services. Their Akshaya Patra program is one of the largest in the country, providing nutritious meals to school children nationwide. This initiative has not only improved the children's health but also enhanced their academic performance.

ISKCON stands as a powerful symbol of modern Hinduism. Initially hesitant to identify as Hindu, fearing it might hinder their efforts to share Krishna's message, they have embraced their Hindu identity in the face of increasing persecution.

The current ban sought by Hefazat-e-Islam is not the first such threat. In 2011, a Russian ultranationalist attempted to ban Prabhupada's translation of the Bhagavad Gita, claiming it was extremist and not in accordance with 'traditional Hinduism'. These incidents have solidified ISKCON's position within the Hindu fold.

The Islamist organization's claims against ISKCON mirror those made in Russia.

In fact ‘Central Assistant Publicity Secretary’ of Hefazat-e-Islam, Sayem Ullah, on 8 November 2024, claimed that ISKCON was ‘an anti-Sanatani militant organisation.’

This highlights how those hostile to Hinduism exploit internal differences within the tradition. Each Hindu tradition claims authenticity, often viewing others as less so. The Islamists and others who want to destroy Hindu Dharma make use of this internal discordance Hindus have. Of course the real aim of Hefazat-e-Islam is not protection of any authentic Sanatana tradition but destroying every branch of it.

ISKCON poses a threat to this agenda because it acts as a bridge between Abrahamic faiths and Dharmic traditions. By offering a personal God, Sri Krishna, and a concrete set of beliefs, ISKCON resonates with those from Abrahamic backgrounds. Simultaneously, it rejects the concept of eternal hell, removing the potential for fanaticism. ISKCON's vibrant temples, adorned with sacred images, further challenge the Islamist agenda.

Such being the civilizational issues involved in the current threat that ISKCON is facing, Hindus cannot afford themselves to be complacent here.

Hindus may lure themselves into inaction thinking that the demand for ban had been made by a fringe group. No, it is not. It is a group which has the strength to effect ground attacks and also a group that can exert pressure upon the government to ban ISKCON.

Secondly, Hindus may also think that ISKCON is not mainstream Hinduism and that it is only a fringe phenomenon. It is not. It is one of the modern faces of Hinduism in the present century.

Dismissing ISKCON as a fringe modern cult does injustice to the movement. It is one of the modern faces of an ancient Dharmic branch in Hinduism. With all its problematic components of worldviews like anti-Darwinism and its art that imitates Western renaissance art, one should also take into account its phenomenal success in bringing Krishna Consciousness to International community and its ability to obliterate caste and racial differences completely.

ISKCON is an instance of a significantly successful adaptation of an established ancient sampradaya into the challenging circumstances of globalised modern times.

So an attack on ISKCON is an attack on all Hindu traditions.

The Indian Government has a responsibility to protect ISKCON, as an assault on any Dharmic tradition anywhere threatens Dharmic traditions everywhere.