Islamist groups in Bangladesh demand ban on ISKCON, label it as extremist organisation’

Large-scale Islamist demonstrations were reportedly held on Friday in Bangladesh across several major cities, including Dhaka and Chattogram, demanding a nationwide ban on the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).

The protests are being seen as a sign of growing hardline influence under the interim administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus.

According to local media reports, organisations such as Hefazat-e-Islam and Intifada Bangladesh spearheaded the rallies, labelling ISKCON as an ‘extremist Hindutva group’. The demonstrations followed Friday prayers and saw thousands gathering to call for immediate government action.

The Intifada Bangladesh group is said to have reportedly organised a major protest outside Dhaka’s Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, presenting a list of six demands including a total ban on ISKCON’s activities and legal proceedings against its members.

The latest unrest comes amid a surge in attacks on Hindu temples and ISKCON centres since the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government in August 2024. Analysts note that the Yunus-led interim regime is facing increasing scrutiny for allegedly allowing radical factions to gain political and social space.

The Dhaka-based newspaper quoted extremist preacher Jasimuddin Rahmani, linked to the al-Qaeda-affiliated Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT), as saying that ISKCON is not a Hindu organisation but an extremist one and called for its immediate ban.