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ICYMI
No eyes on Bangladesh?
Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, a prominent leader of the Hindu minority community and ISKCON monk in Bangladesh, was arrested in Dhaka amidst rising tensions following the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
His video statement before the arrest:
- The arrest was carried out by the Detective Branch of the police as he attempted to board a flight to Chittagong.
- The charges against Chinmoy Krishna Das stem from a sedition case filed after he led a rally in Chittagong, where participants allegedly hoisted a saffron flag above the national flag.
- The rally was part of a larger movement advocating for stronger legal protections for minorities and the creation of a dedicated ministry for minority affairs.
The aftermath: His detention followed a protest in Rangpur demanding enhanced safeguards for minority communities and has since triggered widespread demonstrations across Bangladesh.
- Protesters have called for his immediate release, amplifying calls for justice and highlighting growing concerns over minority rights.
Between the lines: Bangladesh's military-backed interim government has faced increasing criticism for its approach to minority issues.
- Activists assert that, despite official claims of improved security during religious festivals, systemic protections for minorities remain insufficient.
Timeline of attack: In August 2024, reports surfaced of widespread attacks on Hindu temples across Bangladesh, including several ISKCON facilities. An ISKCON temple in Meherpur was vandalized, with idols of deities destroyed, forcing devotees to seek refuge from violent mobs.
- The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council reported over 2,000 attacks on Hindus since early August, coinciding with political unrest following the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
- Tensions escalated on November 5, 2024, when protests erupted in Chattogram after a local trader labeled ISKCON a "terrorist group" on social media, sparking communal clashes that led to nearly 100 arrests during police and army operations.
- On November 9, the Islamist group Hefazat-e-Islam intensified hostilities by calling for violence against ISKCON during a rally in Chattogram, where members chanted slogans such as "Catch one ISKCON, then slaughter" and demanded the organization be banned.
- By November 15, radical Islamist groups issued explicit threats to kill Hindus if ISKCON was not outlawed by the interim government, with videos circulating online amplifying these threats. Various Muslim organizations pressured authorities to take action against ISKCON, labeling it a terrorist organization.
- By late November, reports indicated that dozens of Hindu temples, including many affiliated with ISKCON, had been burned down.
- The situation further deteriorated when Bangladeshi police officially designated ISKCON as a "terrorist organization," exacerbating the already volatile environment and deepening the crisis for the Hindu community in Bangladesh.
Why ISKCON is under attack: Radical groups view ISKCON as a threat to Islamic values and the Muslim majority in Bangladesh. They accuse ISKCON of promoting Hindu interests and inciting communal tensions, claiming that its activities undermine Islamic principles and societal norms.
- This perception is rooted in a broader agenda to "purify" Bangladesh by removing non-Muslim influences, particularly Hindus, from the country.
- The demand for a ban on ISKCON is seen as a strategy by certain political factions, particularly those aligned with Jamaat-e-Islami, to consolidate power and influence in the current political climate.
- By targeting ISKCON, these groups aim to demonstrate their strength and assert dominance over minority communities, thereby appealing to their radical base
India’s reaction: India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has released a statement expressing "deep concern" over the arrest and denial of bail to Chinmoy Krishna Das, a prominent Hindu monk in Bangladesh, as well as the escalating attacks on Hindus and other minorities in the country.
- BJP leaders and Hindu organizations have strongly condemned the detention, urging India's External Affairs Minister to intervene. The incident has reignited broader debates about religious freedoms and the treatment of minorities in Bangladesh.
Pic du jour
Audi has dropped its iconic four-ring logo in China to appeal to younger buyers, with the average luxury car owner being 35. The rebrand aims to position Audi as a fresh, exciting brand in the world's largest auto market.
Trump says no to Trans men in army?
Reports suggest that President-elect Donald Trump intends to issue an executive order expelling all transgender individuals from the U.S. military upon taking office on January 20, 2025.
- This order would classify approximately 15,000 transgender service members as medically unfit for service and prohibit the recruitment of transgender individuals into the armed forces.
- This policy marks a continuation of Trump's earlier stance, as he previously imposed a similar ban during his first term, which was reversed by President Joe Biden in 2021.
- Trump has justified such measures by citing "tremendous medical costs and disruption" associated with transgender service members, though critics have widely challenged these claims.
The reason: The timing of this proposed action has raised concerns, particularly as the U.S. military struggles to meet recruitment targets across most branches, with only the Marine Corps meeting its goals. Critics argue that discharging thousands of transgender personnel would worsen recruitment challenges and create gaps in military readiness.
- Trump's rhetoric against what he calls "woke" military practices, such as prioritizing diversity and inclusion, aligns with broader Republican efforts to curtail LGBTQ+ rights across various sectors, including education and healthcare.
- Several major corporations have begun dismantling their DEI policies after President Trump's reelection. The list includes Boeing, Ford, Lowe's, Starbucks, etc.
The protest: LGBTQ+ advocacy groups have expressed alarm, warning that such a ban would undermine military cohesion and readiness while creating significant administrative burdens.
- They also highlight the potential skill gaps that could result from the discharge of thousands of service members.
- Any executive order issued by Trump is expected to face substantial legal challenges, similar to those encountered during his previous attempts to restrict transgender rights in the military.
The big picture: Donald Trump has unveiled a sweeping agenda to combat what he terms "wokeness," targeting education, diversity initiatives, and LGBTQ+ rights.
- In education, he plans to defund schools teaching critical race theory or addressing gender identity and systemic racism, while banning transgender athletes from girls' sports and limiting discussions on gender identity in classrooms.
- He also aims to roll back Title IX protections for transgender students and dissolve the Department of Education, claiming it has been infiltrated by radicals.
- Additionally, Trump seeks to promote "patriotic education" through initiatives like the 1776 Commission and overhaul higher education by controlling accreditation processes and taxing large university endowments that oppose his policies.
- Beyond education, Trump has pledged to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) offices in government and schools, arguing they create division rather than promote equality.
- He plans to use federal funding as leverage to enforce compliance with his vision and reinstate the ban on transgender individuals serving in the military, potentially expelling thousands of service members.
Also, Christopher Rufo, a well-known conservative activist and critic of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, is set to collaborate with Donald Trump's administration on plans for sweeping reforms in higher education.
- Rufo has been invited to Mar-a-Lago to present his proposal, which centers on defunding universities that promote DEI initiatives and eliminating race-based affirmative action.
- Rufo argues that DEI practices foster division and bias, particularly against white and Asian students, and contribute to what he calls a culture of "wokeness" in education. His plan also includes withholding federal funding from institutions engaging in such practices, aiming to reshape American universities to reflect conservative values.
What’s happening | Pan 2.0 and One nation One Subscription
- The Rs.1,435 crore PAN 2.0 project, approved by the Cabinet, aims to establish PAN as a common business identifier across all government digital systems. Read more by clicking the link.
- The 'One Nation One Subscription' scheme will offer educational institutions unified access to 13,000 research journals across disciplines, coordinated by the Information and Library Network (INFLIBNET). Read more by clicking the link.
Hi, I’m Aniket Mishra, the editor of this newsletter. I’d love to hear some feedback on the newsletter. WhatsApp me directly and tell me what you think.
