A large protest rally was held at Islamic University (IU) in Kushtia on Wednesday as part of National Student Solidarity Week, calling for a ban on the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).
The demonstration, organized by the IU unit of Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir, drew over a thousand participants, including members of various student organizations.
The protest began at 3:00 PM from the university’s Zia Mor area. Participants marched through the campus streets, continued onto the Kushtia-Khulna highway, and concluded with a gathering near the main gate. Protesters chanted slogans accusing ISKCON of terrorism and demanded justice for the recent killing of Lawyer Saiful Islam Alif, alleging ISKCON's involvement.
Speakers at the rally included IU Shibir President HM Abu Musa, Secretary Mahmudul Hasan, Islami Chhatra Andolon Secretary Ismail Hossain Rahat, and others. They were joined by SM Sweet, coordinator of the IU ‘Anti-Discrimination Student Movement,’ and leaders of other affiliated organizations.
In his speech, Shibir President Abu Musa alleged that ISKCON was acting as a terrorist organization backed by India and demanded its immediate ban in Bangladesh. He further accused the former government of Sheikh Hasina of supporting such activities and called for justice before any future elections.
SM Sweet, a key student leader, linked ISKCON to broader conspiracies, alleging that the organization sought to destabilize the country under the influence of foreign powers. He also referred to past student movements, emphasizing the need for unity to combat perceived threats to national stability.
The rally ended peacefully, with calls for continued demonstrations against what the organizers described as anarchic and conspiratorial forces.
