Bangladesh: HC refuses to pass suo motu order on banning ISKCON’s activities

The high court in Dhaka on Thursday, 28 November, refused to pass a suo motu order on banning ISKCON's activities in Bangladesh after it was informed that the government authorities have taken necessary measures, The Daily Star said.

Supreme Court lawyer Md Monir Uddin placed some newspaper reports about International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) before the HC bench on Wednesday and had prayed for a suo motu (voluntary) order to the government to ban the organisation and impose Section 144 in Chattogram, Rangpur and Dinajpur.

The court had asked the attorney general to inform the steps taken by the government regarding ISKCON's recent activities.

When the proceedings started on Thursday, the attorney general's office placed the information before the HC bench of justice Farah Mahbub and justice Debasish Roy Chowdhury.

The bench hoped that the government must remain cautious about protecting the law and order situation and lives and properties of the people of Bangladesh, The Daily Star added.

They came up with the remark after additional attorney general Aneek R. Haque and deputy attorney general Md Asad Uddin informed the HC bench that three separate cases have been filed in connection with the murder of lawyer Saiful Islam Alif and ISKCON's activities, and 33 accused have been arrested in these cases.

Meanwhile, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday expressed concern over the current situation in neighbouring Bangladesh but emphasised that she preferred not to comment on the matter, as it pertains to another country.

Speaking in the Assembly, Banerjee clarified that the issue was for the central government to address, and her state government would abide by its decision.

"Bangladesh is a different country. The government of India will look into it. It does not come under our jurisdiction. We are not supposed to talk about it or interfere. While we feel sorry inside, we follow the policies set by the Centre," Banerjee said.

The Bengal CM also mentioned that she had spoken with representatives of ISKCON on the matter, but did not elaborate further.