In a shocking incident, Iskcon temple was attacked in Bangladesh and one devotee was killed. The attack happened in Noakhali, Bangladesh. Temple suffered significant damages. Pictures posted by Iskcon on its twitter handle shows the extent of damage. Pictures of Lord Krishna and Srimati Radharani can be seen lying on the floor.
“ISKCON temple & devotees were violently attacked today by a mob in Noakhali, Bangladesh. Temple suffered significant damage & the condition of a devotee remains critical. We call on the Govt of Bangladesh to ensure the safety of all Hindus & bring the perpetrators to justice.”
One Iskcon devotee killed in Temple attack in Bangladesh
But the most shocking part of the attack was that one of the young devotees was killed. Regarding the death of Partha Das, Iskcon said on Twitter, “It is with great grief that we share the news of a ISKCON member, Partha Das, who was brutally killed yesterday by a mob of over 200 people. His body was found in a pond next to the temple. We call on the Govt of Bangladesh for immediate action in this regard.”
Why attack a Iskcon temple in Bangladesh?
The fanatic Muslim mobs have been attacking Hindu temples for last few days because they allege that their holy book was insulted at Durga Puja pandal. Preliminary investigation has shown that none of the Hindus were involved in any kind of desecration of Muslim holy book. But still the violent mobs have been attacking Hindus.
Iskcon temples were not involved in any kind of activity which would have hurt the sentiments of the Muslim majority population then why the Iskcon temples were attacked in Bangladesh? It seems that the allegation of desecration is just an excuse to target the Hindu Community. It is a ploy to fill fear in the hearts of Hindus so that they stop celebrating Hindu festivals. So, Hindus in Bangladesh will have only two options – either to flee Bangladesh or stop being a Hindu.
World remains a mute spectator on the attack on Iskcon in Bangladesh
When George Floyd, 46, was killed in US there was outrage all over the world. #BlackLivesMatter became a global movement. Partha Das was just 25 years old when he was killed. His only crime was that he was a devotee of Krishna. Will there be outrage across the world on his death? Will the prominent global personality speak for him? Will there be a candlelight march for him? Most probably not. The reason is because he is a Hindu. And the kinds of attack happening against the Hindus across the world, it seems that “Hindu Lives Does Not Matter.”
All the devotees of Iskcon and all the Hindu communities in Bangladesh are living in fear. They are fearful because they know that there is hardly anyone who will come in their support.
Iskcon has never engaged in any kind of violence. It is an educational spiritual organization. Iskcon has branches all over the world and it spreads the message of peace and harmony everywhere. It also does lots of social service. And its service is not confined to Hindu community. But Iskcon serves everyone – be it a Muslim, Christians, Buddhists, Sikhs.
But unfortunately the blood thirsty mob attacked Iskcon in Bangladesh and the world community remained and remains a mute spectator.