The International Society for Krishna Consciousness, known as ISKCON, on Thursday claimed that the organisation was not involved in the protest staged for the release of its former leader Chinmoy Krishna Das and said that it was not liable for his offences.
At a press conference on Thursday at Swamibag Temple in the Old Town of the capital, the ISKCON Bangladesh general secretary Charu Chandra Das Brahmachari said that they had expelled Chinmoy Krishna Das and two others the organisation several months ago as their activities went against the聽 organisation鈥檚 constitution.
鈥榃e demanded that the government, people and journalists find out the fact behind spreading falsehood over ISKCON,鈥� said Charu Chandra Das, hours after the High Court dismissed a petition demanding a ban on ISKCON in Bangladesh.
Amid the countrywide protest by students, people and political parties demanding a ban on ISKCON for the murder of lawyer Saiful Islam Alif in Chattogram, he also claimed that the organisation was not linked to the murder.
He also urged the government for ensure trial into the lawyer killing.
Responding to a question, ISKCON Bangladesh executive committee and children protection group member Gauranga Das said that several children alleged against Chinmoy over misconduct and unethical behaviour and a letter was served to Chinmoy for the matter.
He said that Chinmoy was asked to refrain from organizational work for three months. But he neither followed the call nor paid any heed to organisation鈥檚 directives.
鈥楾his is why he was expelled permanently from ISKCON Bangladesh in July,鈥� he added.
ISKCON Bangladesh is promoting unity and harmony, the ISKCON leader Charu said, adding that it had never been involved in communal or conflict-driven activities.
He said that they were scheduled to hold a meeting with the land adviser Hasan Arif on Sunday.
On Tuesday, assistant public prosecutor Saiful Islam Alif was killed and 25 others injured during a clash between members of Bangladesh Sammilita Sanatani Jagran Jote, a platform of the Hindu community, and law enforcement agencies on a Chattogram court premises over sending Chinmoy to jail in a sedition case.