BNP leader Nazrul questions justification of Iskcon's agitations

BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan today (29 November) questioned the justification of the recent agitations by Iskcon, alleging that the 'deposed autocrat' is linked to it.

"I don't even want to name the organisation involved in these recent activities. They (Iskcon) have branches in various countries around the world… Ask them in which other country, apart from Bangladesh, do they organise processions with specific demands and announce long marches?" he said while speaking at a discussion at the Jatiya Press Club.

The BNP leader also questioned why Iskcon had launched a movement following the fall of Sheikh Hasina's regime when it had remained silent during the repression and suppression under her rule.

He expressed his astonishment at how the leaders of Iskcon, as citizens of Bangladesh, could request the Indian government to intervene in this matter.

"Is Bangladesh a country under anyone's control, or is it subject to another country's actions?" he asked.

The discussion meeting, titled 'What We Can Do to Confront Fascism and Its Associates', was organised by Khelafat Andolon to mark its 43rd founding anniversary.

Nazrul criticised the Indian government's statement regarding the Iskcon issue.

He expressed frustration that India had not issued a statement when several thousand people, including children, were killed during the July-August movement, or even when an advocate was killed in Chattogram.

"So, if one person is arrested, you issue a statement... but when several thousand people have been killed, no statement is issued. This is biased. Whether it is done by an individual or a state, such actions are unacceptable."

As a labour leader, Nazrul also expressed support for the recent movement by battery-powered rickshaw drivers, stating that their demands were justified.

"If you believe rickshaws should not be allowed, you should have stopped them in the beginning. Now there are thousands of rickshaws, and many people rely on them to earn a living. You can't just say they won't be allowed—who will accept that?" he argued.

However, Nazrul noted that the nature of the movement was not entirely normal. "I understand labour movements, and this one didn't seem normal. Then I saw that the leaders of the movement were all Chhatra League members. The demand was legitimate, but the way the movement was conducted appeared to be a conspiracy."

In light of the current situation, Nazrul called for unity, awareness, and vigilance to prevent any attempts to undermine national unity or conspire against the people.

"I urge the interim government to engage in dialogue with all political parties, organisations, labour groups, civil society, and journalists… and work to build a unity so strong that no one dares to challenge us," he said.