New Delhi: A raging controversy has embroiled Bangladesh over the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das which has triggered protests all over the country. Meanwhile, the Bangladesh government is seeking a ban on ISKCON and is investigating it as a ‘religious fundamentalist organisation’. After the arrest, the law and order situation in Bangladesh has deteriorated and the high court has directed that steps be taken so that the situation does not worsen further.
On November 25, Chinmoy Krishna Das was arrested at Dhaka airport. On the next day, he was presented before the Sixth Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court in Chittagong and Judge Kazi Shariful Islam denied his bail plea and ordered him to be sent to custody. Meanwhile, ISKCON Bangladesh strongly condemned the arrest Notably, Chinmoy Krishna Das is a senior member of ISKCON. ISKCON Bangladesh has urged the government to promote peace and justice and has also raised concerns about the growing violence and attacks against the Sanatani community in Bangladesh.
How was the ISKCON established?
The full form of ISKCON is the International Society for Krishna Consciousness and it is commonly known as the Hare Krishna movement. It is a Gaudiya Vaishnava Hindu religious organization. The members of ISKCON practice a distinct form of monotheistic Hinduism, which is based on the Hindu scriptures and guided by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada’s translation and commentary of the Bhagavad Gita and Bhagavata Purana.
The devotees of ISKCON are Gaudiya Vaishnavism’s largest branch. While Vaishnavism refers to ‘worship of Vishnu’, Gauḍa refers to the area of origin, in the Gauda region of West Bengal and Bangladesh. Gaudiya Vaishnavism has existed in India for the last 500 years. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu founded Gaudiya Vaishnavism and he made it popular in Bengal and attracted people of all caste and creed. Gaudiya Vaishnavas consider Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu an incarnation of Krishna.
Swami Prabhupada and the foundation of ISKCON
In 1965, Swami Prabhupada, who is said to have direct lineage with Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and was 69 years old at that time, got a free passage and boarded the cargo ship named Jaladhuta which was headed to New York. It was a very difficult journey and he suffered two heart attacks aboard. After spending 35 days at sea, he arrived in Brooklyn. At that time, he had just seven dollars and a crate of his translations of sacred Sanskrit texts.
He faced great hardships in New York and began to teach the Bhagavad Gita in lofts on the Bowery and leading kirtan in Tompkins Square Park. He did not preach to the elites of New York but instead took advantage of the 1960s countercultural spirit by preaching and chanting in public parks and attracting hippies and the youth. His message attracted many young people and many of them became his students. He rented a small storefront on New York’s Lower East Side to use as a temple with the help of the students. On July 13, 1966, Swami Prabhupada established the ISKCON. The movement rapidly grew and when it spread to England, it was backed by George Harrison of the Beatles.
On November 25, Chinmoy Krishna Das was arrested at Dhaka airport. Meanwhile, the Bangladesh government is seeking a ban on ISKCON and is investigating it as a ‘religious fundamentalist organisation’. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
