• Saiful Islam Alif, a Bangladeshi Muslim lawyer, was brutally hacked to death by a Hindutva mob linked to ISKCON at the Chattogram court.
• A demand for justice for Alif and a swift ban on ISKCON is echoing in Bangladesh, as the group continues to promote Hindutva extremism.
Inna ilayhi wa inna ilayhi raajiun
In a harrowing murder that has sent ripples across Bangladesh, a prominent Muslim lawyer, Saiful Islam Alif, was brutally lynched on the premises of the Chattogram court. The attack, carried out by a Hindutva mob associated with the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), followed a court decision that rejected the bail plea of Chinmoy Krishna Das, a leader of the Hindutva group.
Witnesses reported chaos erupting in the court premises as the extremist mob, enraged by the ruling, launched a violent assault on Alif, hacking him to death in broad daylight.
Calls for Justice and Accountability
The legal fraternity has reacted with outrage, demanding swift justice for Saiful Islam Alif and immediate government action to address the growing threat posed by Hindutva extremist factions. Lawyers across the country have called for a nationwide ban on ISKCON, asserting that the group promotes the Hindutva ideology and fosters communal unrest.
“This incident is not just an attack on an individual; it is an assault on justice and the rule of law,” said one lawyer, expressing the sentiments of a grief-stricken legal community.
The Broader Context
This tragedy comes at a time where concerns have been raised over external influences in Bangladesh and the spread of the divisive and supremacist Hindutva ideology. The association of ISKCON, a religious organisation that ironically promotes itself as a group dedicated to spiritual teachings. ISKCON has already been banned in several countries as a militant organisation and is working to incite Hindu-Muslim riots in Bangladesh.
Demand for Action
The incident has intensified demands for government intervention to prevent the spread of extremism and ensure the safety of all citizens in Bangladesh regardless of their faith. As lawyers and activists mobilise for justice, many hope this tragic incident will serve as a wake-up call to protect Bangladesh’s tradition of religious harmony. Bangladesh has a population of 91% Muslims in which minority groups have historically lived peacefully.
Authorities are yet to comment on the matter, but pressure is mounting for swift action to bring the perpetrators to justice and prevent further unrest.
Please be advised that the video of the murder below may be distressing to some.