New Delhi: On December 1, ISKCON Governing Body Commissioner and spiritual leader Gauranga Das announced that prayers were held in 1,100 temples across the organization for the safety of Hindu minorities in conflict-ridden Bangladesh. In Mumbai, around 3,000 people gathered to pray to Radha Krishna and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, seeking protection for these communities and peace in the region.
Das urged ISKCON’s 120 centers and followers not to post anything on social media that could escalate tensions in Bangladesh. He noted that discussions are ongoing among the Indian government, the Bangladeshi government, and various international organizations to address the situation.
Referencing teachings from the Bhagavad Gita, he called on the Bangladeshi government to safeguard and respect minority rights to uphold diversity and global harmony. He encouraged people to share their suggestions for solutions with temple leaders or ISKCON’s communications ministry.
Das mentioned that ISKCON leaders are in contact with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, who have assured that efforts are being made to find a peaceful resolution to the hostilities against minorities in Bangladesh. He acknowledged that political issues can take time to resolve but expressed optimism following the rejection of a plea to ban ISKCON by the Bangladesh High Court, indicating positive developments ahead.
He concluded by emphasizing the teachings of the Gita and the Sanatan Dharma, which encourage resilience in the face of adversity, and expressed hope for global peace. He affirmed ISKCON’s commitment to contributing to the growth of Sanatan Dharma.