02 November, 2026 – CHANDPUR, Bangladesh — Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh’s Chandpur district unit has demanded a ban on the activities of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) and the closure of Shri Shri Mahaprabhu Nilachal Temple in Munshefpara, Chandpur town, citing concerns over national sovereignty, communal harmony and national security.
The demands were raised during a human chain organised in front of the Chandpur Deputy Commissioner’s Office at around 10:00 am on Monday. Following the demonstration, leaders of the organisation submitted a memorandum to Deputy Commissioner Ahmed Ziaur Rahman.
In the memorandum, Hefazat-e-Islam claimed that although Bangladesh has a long history of coexistence and harmony among people of different religious communities, certain activities by ISKCON, which the organisation described as provocative and allegedly contrary to national interests, had recently raised concerns.
The organisation alleged that such activities could threaten communal harmony, peace and stability in the country.
The human chain was presided over by Maulana Liaquat Hossain, president of Hefazat-e-Islam’s Chandpur district unit, and moderated by Mufti Nur-e-Alam, general secretary of its Sadar Upazila unit.
Speakers included district general secretary Mufti Mahbubur Rahman, vice-presidents Maulana Habibur Rahman and Maulana Monirul Islam, joint general secretary Hafiz Abul Hasanat, district publicity secretary Hafiz Qari Rashid Ahmad, town unit joint general secretary Maulana Nurul Islam, and Sadar Upazila unit organising secretary Hafiz Maulana Obaidullah.
During the demonstration, speakers said people of different religious communities in Chandpur had traditionally maintained peaceful and brotherly relations, including with members of the Hindu community. However, they claimed that what they described as controversial and anti-national activities by ISKCON had raised questions about the organisation’s role.
They called for an impartial investigation into ISKCON’s activities, citing the country’s independence, sovereignty and national security.
The speakers also demanded an examination of the activities, location, authorisation and legal status of Shri Shri Mahaprabhu Nilachal Temple in Munshefpara, Chandpur town, and called on the authorities to take appropriate measures based on the findings.
Referring to the 2024 killing of lawyer Saiful Islam Alif near the Chattogram court premises following the arrest of ISKCON leader Chinmoy Krishna Das, the speakers said that anyone found engaging in activities contrary to the country’s laws, Constitution or national interests under the cover of a religious organisation should face legal action.
In the memorandum, Hefazat-e-Islam urged the Deputy Commissioner to consider its demands seriously and take appropriate action in accordance with the law following an impartial investigation.
Members and activists of Hefazat-e-Islam, Islamic scholars and local Muslim worshippers participated in the human chain.
The demands have drawn attention to the debate over religious organisations, freedom of worship and the protection of communal harmony in Bangladesh.
