About 700 ISKCON temples across 150 countries in the world announced to hold a 12-hour worldwide protest on Saturday following the Noakhali temple vandalisation in Bangladesh last Friday, leading to two deaths.

Speaking to India Today, Radharam Das of ISKCON said, "From Tokyo to Toronto, we are conducting prayers and protests about what ever happened in Bangladesh. We hope the Bangladeshi government should take strict steps. We are disheartened over what happened."

Das further stated that the protest will happen peacefully and they want the arrested accused in Bangladesh to be hanged to death.

"We want the Bangladeshi government to hang Iqbal Hossain because he caused the massive violence," said Das.

Iqbal Hossain, who has been accused of placing a copy of the Quran at a Durga Puja pandal in Comilla last week, was arrested by the police in Bangladesh from Cox's Bazar on Thursday night.

"Hindus are shocked and saddened by the series of violent attacks on their fellow community members, an ISKCON temple and its members in Bangladesh," said ISKCON spokesperson Bimal Krishna Dasa earlier."

"As part of the demonstration, participants will express solidarity with the Hindus of Bangladesh and demand justice and safety for them from the country's government," he added.

Radharaman Das, Vice-President, ISKCON said, "The cycle of violence that lasted for 10 days in Bangladesh was brutal. Many were killed and little children were raped. Till when we will keep dying like this? It is the duty of every government to protect its minorities. These protests are also meant to awake the government. It is not happening for the first time there, it keeps happening. As a part of the protest, Kirtan is also being held to pray that the souls of the deceased attain peace. People can come here and light a lamp, offer flowers."

A number of states in India witnessed protests from ISKCON on Saturday. A protest was held in Ahmedabad as well by ISKCON devotees. Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and other organisation were also a part of this protest. Protests were also witnessed in Kolkata, Delhi and several other places.

"The Hindu community is shocked and saddened by the recent series of violent attacks upon the Hindu minority in Bangladesh, including our own ISKCON temples and members. They should get the freedom to practice their religion. Whatever happened was wrong. If this keeps happening, where we Hindus will go to practice our religion? We appeal the Bangladesh government that it should act to bring an end to the violence against minorities and to take tangible steps to ensure the long-term safety and well-being of all Bangladeshi citizens and temples. We also appeal to the Indian Government to take cognizance of it," said Kalanath Chaitanyadas, President, ISKCON Ahmedabad.

Image courtesy: ANI