My dear friends,
Namaste. Greetings to all.
I’m sure you’ve seen various reports in mainstream and social media about the dire situation in Bangladesh.
I am here to wake you up once again because the situation is getting worse.
Genocide.
Ethnic cleansing of minorities—Hindus, Christians, and Buddhists—is happening in Bangladesh as we speak.
Unrest has persisted in Bangladesh for months and has worsened recently. This nation, which won its freedom in 1971, has seen its minority population decline from 25% to less than 8%, according to some statistics.
This has been accompanied by heavy persecution and religious conversion, but now it has escalated into a serious terror campaign.
The Plight of ISKCON in Bangladesh
We all know the ISKCON movement, a global, peace-loving, and generous community all over the world. ISKCON has consistently added value to societies worldwide, providing millions of people with food through their charity services, including extensive relief work in Bangladesh.
Yet, the key leader of ISKCON in Bangladesh, Sri Chinmoy Krishna Das, has been imprisoned on sedition charges.
The charges claim he tied a saffron flag above the Bangladesh flag—a narrative with no evidence. The Bangladesh government is attempting to portray ISKCON as a fundamentalist organization, which is absolutely nonsensical to anyone familiar with their work.
There are no lawyers ready to represent Sri Chinmoy as they all have been terrorised, threatened, and one of them even murdered by the radical groups.
(In this video, Bangladesh layer association president is warning that any lawyer who defends Sri Chinmoy Das, who is currently in jail and declared as a terrorist, will be killed in the court premises itself.)
Sri Chinmoy Krishna Das is in prison, awaiting trial. He is a vegetarian. The prison isn’t providing his chosen diet. Some of his teammates who brought him food were also arrested and imprisoned. There is an absolute violation of human rights. In Bangladesh, as I understand, the punishment for sedition is death. The same law for blasphemy charges.
While Sri Chinmoy Krishna Das is in jail, the ISKCON center has been attacked. Their animals, including cows and bulls, were brutally killed, and temples destroyed by radical groups spreading terror.
This is a blatant violation of human rights.
Silence Is Not an Option
My friends, we must make our voice heard. We must speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. We must stand firm and speak up whenever adharma or unrighteousness takes place.
Remember the story in the Mahabharata, Bhishma lay on his bed of arrows and asked Lord Krishna why such a fate had befallen him despite living righteously. Krishna replied, “This is because you supported Adharma.”
Bhishma protested saying he had never committed Adharma himself, but Krishna explained that his silence in the face of injustice in the court of Duryodhana, he had allowed unrighteousness to prevail. Supporting unrighteousness directly or indirectly by being silent. Watching injustice being inflicted on innocent and helpless people, is equal to committing a crime.
We must always remember that silence in such times is passivity.
Let us not repeat Bhishma’s mistake. When injustice occurs, it is our duty to act and speak.
The Crisis in Bangladesh
Reports of atrocities are being censored or banned, keeping much of the violence hidden.
Here are just some of the reported atrocities:
- Countless people have been killed.
- Women have been raped and forcefully converted.
- Hindu sacred threads are being cut in exchange for food in refugee camps—food in exchange for conversion.
- Hindu temples, Buddhist places of worship, and an estimated 11 churches have been vandalized and destroyed.
- Widespread looting of homes and shops belonging to minorities.
- Unimaginable atrocities committed against minorities.
This is happening under the rule of a coalition government headed by a Nobel Peace Prize winner, Mr. Mohammad Yunus. Ironically, there is absolutely no peace in Bangladesh. This is a non-elected interim government, and ever since they came to power, persecution of minorities has increased by manyfold.
A Call for Action
The Bangladesh government should immediately shoulder responsibility for protecting minorities of their 50-year-old country. Denial of the situation won’t work here.
Refugees must be unconditionally protected.
Forced conversions must stop.
This is not just a Hindu matter; it is a humanitarian crisis—a matter of human rights. A human crisis.
Professor Muhammad Yunus, as a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, should know that and call the shots accordingly.
This is a wake-up call.
All the faith and political leaders must raise their voice for the voiceless. For the minorities of Bangladesh. All the spiritual leaders and religious heads should pull back their followers from committing atrocities on the helpless. Religions should bring peace, not anarchy on earth. Violence will breed more violence. What we sow, that we reap.
Hence, there is no time to waste. All hands should join together to bring peace, harmony, and a peaceful coexistence. All mouths should chant “Humanity” and a total unconditional acceptance of one another. It is time.
Wake up! Roar for peace. Peace is our birthright. No religion is higher than human beings and humanity.
By destroying places of worship, a Pandora’s box is being opened. Prevent it. Wounds will bring more wounds. Every religious leader should take responsibility right now. Talk right now. Voice solidarity right now. There is no tomorrow for this. Wake up and unite for justice to humanity.