ISKCON New Town website hacked, Al-Mashal claims responsibility

On Saturday morning, the ISKCON New Town website was hacked, displaying Islamic slogans. The group "Al Mashal" has claimed responsibility for the cyberattack. For two days leading up to the incident, the website had been experiencing technical difficulties, initially believed to be a glitch. However, when accessed on Saturday, the site featured unexpected Islamic content, prompting swift action from ISKCON officials.

ISKCON’s technical team immediately worked to restore the website, and it was brought back online after repairs. The hacking incident comes amid growing concerns over the situation of Hindus in Bangladesh. This includes the arrest of Chinmoykrishna Das, a prominent monk and member of ISKCON, who was detained by Bangladeshi authorities under unclear charges. His arrest has sparked significant reactions from the Hindu community in the region.

Chinmoykrishna Das remains in jail, and his legal process has faced significant challenges. Reports indicate difficulties in finding a lawyer, with claims that some legal representatives have faced harassment. There are also allegations of interference with his legal hearings, including delays in proceedings. The growing tension over his case has drawn attention to the wider climate of religious intolerance, particularly directed at Hindus, in Bangladesh.

This attack on the ISKCON website is part of a broader pattern of hostility towards the Hindu minority in Bangladesh. In addition to the difficulties faced by Chinmoykrishna Das, there have been calls to ban ISKCON in the country. The organization has condemned the persecution of Hindus and has publicly called for the release of its member. These developments highlight the rising challenges faced by Hindu communities, especially those associated with ISKCON, as they navigate growing religious intolerance in Bangladesh.