The controversy surrounding the social media campaign to ban the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in Bangladesh has become a focal point of tension, particularly following a series of attacks on Hindu minorities in the country. These attacks, which escalated after the fall of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government in August 2024, have sparked a wave of online activism. The campaign to ban ISKCON is gaining momentum, fueled by hashtags such as #BanISKCON, #ISKCONMustBeBanned, #ISKCONIsTerrorist, and #HindutvaPropaganda, alongside virulent anti-Hindu sentiment. These posts accuse ISKCON of being an arm of Hindu nationalism and assert that the group’s activities are damaging to Bangladesh’s religious and political stability.
The immediate trigger for the surge in the social media campaign was an attack on an ISKCON temple, one of the first Hindu establishments to be targeted after the political upheaval in Bangladesh. The attack, occurring shortly after Prime Minister Hasina’s government collapsed, has set the stage for the growing unrest, with calls to ban the organization gaining traction. According to reports, ISKCON has been accused of promoting Hindutva ideology and acting as a tool for Indian geopolitical interests in Bangladesh. These claims have been repeated in posts across various platforms, notably Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter), with some posts labeling the organization as a "terrorist" entity that seeks to destabilize the country.
The hashtag #BanISKCON has garnered particular attention, with over 1,800 posts recorded within a week of November 14, calling for the group's expulsion from Bangladesh. The posts, many accompanied by infographics, accuse ISKCON of inciting violence and spreading a political agenda that threatens the nation’s identity. Some even describe the group as a "foreign-backed" organisation, invoking conspiracy theories that have been used to undermine its legitimacy. This narrative has been bolstered by the allegation that ISKCON members were involved in the November 5 protests, which erupted over a Facebook post that branded the group a "terrorist organization." The protests themselves sparked further controversy, as the demonstrators clashed with law enforcement and accused ISKCON of fueling religious intolerance in the country.
The social media campaign targeting ISKCON is not happening in a vacuum. It is part of a larger trend of online movements aimed at discrediting various elements within Bangladesh’s political and religious landscape. Many of the accounts involved in the #BanISKCON campaign have also been identified as participants in earlier anti-India and anti-government movements, such as #IndiaOut and #BoycottIndia, both of which were prominent during the lead-up to the fall of Hasina’s government. These accounts are often anonymous or lack identifiable information, suggesting that they may be coordinated or part of a broader digital propaganda effort designed to disrupt Bangladesh’s socio-political fabric.
Allegations against ISKCON have expanded beyond the realm of politics. One of the more incendiary accusations is that the group hoisted the saffron flag above the national flag of Bangladesh at a rally in Chittagong, a move that is seen as highly provocative in a country where the national flag holds deep symbolic significance. Furthermore, ISKCON is accused of supporting the Awami League, the ruling party, and of being an extension of the Indian government. One post circulating on X reads: "Bangladeshis are asking to #BanISKCON because it is harbouring Indian Hindu RSS terrorists," referring to the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh), a right-wing Hindu nationalist organization in India, which some detractors claim is influencing ISKCON’s activities in Bangladesh.
In response to these allegations, ISKCON has been vocal in defending itself. The president of ISKCON Bangladesh, Satya Ranjan Barai, issued statements denying all accusations of wrongdoing and distancing the organization from political interference. He emphasized that ISKCON is a global, religious organization focused solely on humanitarian efforts, not involved in any political movements or intelligence operations. “ISKCON is an international organization that was not involved in any such incidents anywhere in the world. ISKCON is not an agent of any country's intelligence agency but works solely for the welfare of humanity,” Barai said, as reported by *The Daily Star*. Despite these clarifications, the campaign to ban ISKCON continues to gain traction among certain factions of Bangladesh’s population, many of whom remain unconvinced by the group’s defense.
Compounding the situation, some posts within the campaign have gone a step further to link ISKCON with Israel, alleging that the group operates under Israeli influence. These claims argue that because Bangladesh does not recognize Israel, the presence of an Israel-backed organization like ISKCON should be prohibited. In this context, the rise in anti-Israel sentiment and pro-Palestinian views among sections of Bangladesh’s population has also fueled the call for a ban on ISKCON. Some posts claim that the group is using religious and political narratives to promote an agenda that is contrary to Bangladesh’s interests, especially considering its stance on Palestine.
The social media campaign appears to be well-coordinated, with many of the accounts participating in the #BanISKCON movement linked to newly created profiles with names such as "Bangladesh Reborn," "Post Revolution Bangladesh," "Bangladesh 2.0," and "Rising Bangladesh." These accounts are often premium users on X, which means they have greater reach and visibility, amplifying their influence in spreading their message. Additionally, YouTube channels like EagleeyesHD have posted videos that echo similar anti-ISKCON rhetoric, alleging that the organization is meddling in Bangladesh’s internal politics and attempting to sway Hindus to support the Hasina government.
The online campaign is intensifying the existing divisions in Bangladeshi society, where Hindus, a minority group, have long struggled with religious and political marginalization. Although ISKCON continues to deny any political motives, the growing opposition to the group highlights the volatile intersection of religion, nationalism, and geopolitics in Bangladesh. This controversy underscores the challenges that minority communities face in a predominantly Muslim nation and reflects broader regional tensions, including the complex relationship between Bangladesh, India, and Israel. Whether or not the campaign results in concrete political action, its impact on Bangladesh’s religious dynamics and its minority Hindu population is likely to be long-lasting.
