Bangladesh government has clarified that no discussions have been held to ban the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in the country. Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change in the interim government, made the statement during a press briefing in Dhaka on Thursday.

She stated, “No discussion was held in the government to ban ISKCON. While individuals or groups may raise demands or hold programmes for their causes, the government does not conflate the offenses of organisations with those of individuals.”

Commenting on the arrest of Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, Rizwana said he was arrested based on specific allegations and is currently under trial. She added that the court will decide whether he is guilty or not.

Responding to media reports, Rizwana noted that ISKCON Bangladesh has denied any association with Chinmoy Krishna Das.

This clarification comes amid heightened concerns over the treatment of minority communities and religious organisations in Bangladesh.