Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)
Mangaluru, Oct 26: ISKCON center in the city, on Arya Samaj Road held a unique protest on Tuesday, October 26, condemning the attacks on Hindus in neighbouring Bangladesh. The devotees sang kirthans of Lord Krishna in protest of attack on Hindus.
Karunyasagar Dasa, president, ISKCON Mangaluru, said, “In the past few weeks, the Hindu community has come under attack in Bangladesh. Temples of ISKCON and other organisations were vandalised, Deities were smashed, Puja pandals of Durga Devi were burnt. The fanatic mob also killed many people during their attacks, including Prantha Chandra Das and Jatan Chandra Saha of ISKCON in Noakhali. Many houses and business establishments of Hindus were systematically targeted and burnt down. Such attacks on the Hindus and other minority groups in Bangladesh have been going on for decades. This needs to stop.
“These targeted attacks on peaceful, law-abiding communities have shaken the collective consciousness of humanity. As a means to demand protection for these vulnerable people, the ISKCON movement has organised peaceful protests across the globe. The Global Kirtan is a worldwide peaceful demonstration of pain and grief of the global Hindu community, which stands in solidarity with the Hindus of Bangladesh. This protest is not against any religious community or the state of Bangladesh. It is for demanding the safety of all the minorities of the country.
“We express our pain and anguish on the unprovoked attacks on the ISKCON devotees, Hindus, and other minorities in Bangladesh. We unitedly stand in support and solidarity with them and pray for their safety and well-being. We urge the Government of Bangladesh to immediately ensure the protection of the affected minorities and take steps to prevent such incidents in the future. We also request the Government of India to work with our neighbouring countries and protect the rights of minorities in the region,” he said.
The missionaries of the temple, ISKCON congregation members and other conscientious citizens participated in the event.
ISKCON intended to take out a peaceful protest march from ISKCON centre to Kadri grounds. But the police did not give permission. Hence, the protest was held within the premises of center only.