Iskcon issue a top priority for govt, state tells High Court

The government has taken a firm stance against any attempt to create unrest or chaos centred on the murder of a lawyer in Chittagong following the arrest of a former Iskcon leader, the state has told the High Court, saying it is a top priority of the government. 

Additional Attorney General Barrister Aneek R Haque and Deputy Attorney General Md Asad Uddin informed the court bench comprising Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice Debasish Roy Chowdhury of the government's position on Today.

The state said the matter had been given the highest priority by the government, adding that three cases had been filed in connection with the incident and 33 people had been arrested. 

Law enforcement agencies were working to prevent any unrest stemming from the issue, it added.

During the hearing, petitioner lawyer Moniruzzaman said now was the time to ban the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (Iskcon), to which the court responded that the government would certainly look into it.

A writ petition was filed in the High Court on Wednesday seeking the banning of Iskcon and the imposition of emergency measures in Chittagong and Rangpur to avoid any untoward situation. 

Citing media reports, lawyer Moniruzzaman sought directives from the High Court. Then, given the sensitivity of the matter, the court summoned the attorney general.

Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman later said some parties might be attempting to destabilize the country from certain angles, adding that the government was addressing the situation by fostering national unity and had initiated discussions with political parties regarding the recent issues.

The court expressed concern and emphasized that no one should be allowed to deteriorate law and order.

Chinmoy Krishna Das, spokesperson for the Sanatan Jagaran Jote and a former Iskcon leader, was arrested on Monday at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka while en route to Chittagong, where he resides.

The next day, clashes erupted outside a Chittagong court after Chinmoy was denied bail.

His followers held a protest at the court, leading to a confrontation, and amid the chaos, Saiful Islam Alif, 35, an assistant public prosecutor, was killed.