New Delhi: India has noted with “deep concern” the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das, the former leader of ISKCON and spokesperson of the Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatan Jagran Jote Tuesday
In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Das’s arrest in Bangladesh follows “multiple attacks” on Hindus and other minorities in the country by “extremist elements”.
Chinmoy Krishna Das, whose real name is Chandan Kumar Dhar, was arrested at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka Monday. He was produced before the Chattogram (Chittagong) court Tuesday morning. His bail was rejected and Das was sent to jail in a case filed against him for disrespecting the national flag.
The MEA, in its statement, said there were numerous documented cases of “arson and looting of minorities’ homes and business establishments” and desecration of temples and deities across the South Asian country.
“It is unfortunate that while the perpetrators of these incidents remain at large, charges should be pressed against a religious leader presenting legitimate demands through peaceful gatherings,” said the MEA.
On 31 October, a case was filed against the former ISKCON leader and 18 others at the Kotwali Police Station by Firoz Khan, the then general secretary of the Mohora ward of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). This was after the Hindu community in Chattogram took out a rally on 25 October, as reported by Bangladeshi newspaper The Daily Star.
Khan, however, was expelled from the BNP a day later for “anti-party” activities.
Some youth at the rally, organised by the Sanatan Jagran Mancha, reportedly placed a saffron-coloured flag over the flag of Bangladesh.
‘Urge Bangladesh to keep minorities safe’
The MEA statement also noted with concern the “attacks on minorities protesting peacefully against the arrest of Shri Das”. “We urge Bangladesh authorities to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and all minorities, including their right of freedom of peaceful assembly and expression,” it added.
On Monday, ISKCON sought India’s aid in reaching out to Dhaka to explain it was a “peace-loving Bhakti movement”.
In a post on X, the organisation added: “We have come across disturbing reports that Sri Chinmoy Krishna Das, one of the prominent leaders of ISKCON Bangladesh, has been detained by the Dhaka police… We want the Government of Bangladesh to release Chinmoy Krishna Das immediately. Our prayers to Lord Krishna for the protection of these devotees.”
We have come across disturbing reports that Sri Chinmoy Krishna Das, one of the prominent leaders of ISKCON Bangladesh, has been detained by the Dhaka police.
It is outrageous to make baseless allegations that ISKCON has anything to do with terrorism anywhere in the world.…
— Iskcon,Inc. (@IskconInc) November 25, 2024
According to media reports, protests broke out in Chattogram late Monday evening following Das’s arrest as protesters called for his release.
Clashes broke between protesters and the police outside the court premises in Chattogram following the denial of bail to Das. Hundreds of protesters assembled outside the court premises as the ex-leader of ISKCON was produced for his hearing in the case.
According to media reports, agitators prevented the van carrying Chinmoy Krishna Das from leaving the premises leading to the police using tear gas to clear the protesters.
At least one person was killed in clashes between security forces and protesters. “A Muslim lawyer defending Das was killed amid protests outside the court,” Reuters quoted a police officer as saying.
Following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina as Prime Minister of Bangladesh in August this year, minorities across the South Asian country have witnessed their shops and places of residence vandalised.
Last month, a crown gifted by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2021 for an idol of Kali at the Jeshoreshwari temple in Bangladesh was stolen. India urged Bangladeshi authorities to act swiftly to ensure its recovery, as well as take action against perpetrators.
The Chief Adviser of the interim government in Dhaka Muhammad Yunus last week claimed the attacks on minorities were due to their political support to Hasina’s Awami League, rather than their religious identity. Furthermore he suggested Indian “propaganda” had exaggerated the “scale” of the attacks.
This is an updated version of the report
(Edited By Tikli Basu)
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