Thu Jan 02 07:12:32 UTC 2025: ## Bangladesh Freezes Bank Accounts of 17 Linked to ISKCON Amidst Sedition Case and Tensions
**DHAKA, Bangladesh** – Bangladesh authorities have frozen the bank accounts of 17 individuals associated with the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) for 30 days. This action follows the arrest of former ISKCON member Chinmoy Krishna Das on sedition charges and subsequent protests.
The Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) issued the directive on Thursday, halting all transactions related to the accounts. Banks are required to submit detailed transaction information within three working days. The move comes after a High Court rejected a petition to ban ISKCON, following a clash between Das’s supporters and security personnel that resulted in the death of a lawyer.
Das, also a spokesperson for the Bangladesh Sammilita Sanatani Jagran Jote, was arrested on Monday at Dhaka’s airport. He was charged with sedition for allegedly disrespecting the national flag during a Hindu community rally. His arrest and subsequent denial of bail have sparked protests and concern from India, which called for the safety of minorities in Bangladesh. Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also called for his release and condemned the lawyer’s death.
ISKCON Bangladesh denies any involvement in the lawyer’s death, calling the allegations baseless. While the High Court declined to ban ISKCON, it urged the government to maintain law and order and protect citizens.
The incident highlights ongoing tensions in Bangladesh, where the Hindu minority, once comprising 22% of the population, now makes up approximately 8%. Reports of attacks against Hindus persist, alongside concerns about the rise of extremist groups.
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