India expresses concern after the arrest of Hindu leader in Bangladesh on charges of sedition for allegedly disrespecting Bangladesh’s national flag in Chattogram’s New Market area …reports Asian Lite News
Responding on the arrest and denial of bail of Chinmoy Krishna Das the Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday urged Bangladeshi government to ensure the safety and security of Hindus.
“We have noted with deep concern the arrest and denial of bail to Shri Chinmoy Krishna Das, who is also the spokesperson of the Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatan Jagran Jote”, the statement said.
“This incident follows the multiple attacks on Hindus and other minorities by extremist elements in Bangladesh. There are several documented cases of arson and looting of minorities’ homes and business establishments, as well as theft and vandalism and desecration of deities and temples”, the statement said.
“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. We also note with concern the attacks on minorities protesting peacefully against the arrest of 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,” the statement added.
Chinmoy Krishna Das who was arrested on Monday was on Tuesday produced before a Chittagong court that reused to entertain his bail plea and sent him to custody. The Dhaka Tribune reoported that Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari was presented before Judge Kazi Shariful Islam of the Chittagong Sixth Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court at 11am on Tuesday. Chinmoy Krishna’s lawyers filed a bail petition, which was rejected by the court, ordering him to be sent to jail.
Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) Additional Deputy Commissioner Kazi Md Tarek Aziz said Chinmoy was brought to Chittagong by road at night. He faces a sedition case at Kotwali police station, and he was arrested in connection with that case and brought to court.
A handle on X, Voice of Bangladeshi Hindus that has been documenting alleged atrocities against minority Hindus in Bangladesh, quoted Chinmoy Prabhu as saying from the court premises, “Whatever happens to me, you don’t stop the logical movement…. we call upon all the Hindu monks of India to stand against it. All Hindu monks of India should organize a protest rally against Islamist Jihadi Yunus.”
Earlier in the day, International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) on Tuesday urged India to speak to the Bangladeshi government regarding the detention of Chinmoy Krishna Das, one of the prominent leaders of ISKCON Bangladesh.
Meanwhile, thousands of people in Bangladesh’s port city of Chittagong gathered in the court premises on Tuesday, demanding the release of Hindu priest Chinmoy Brahmachari.
The protesters blocked the prison car after a court rejected his bail plea and ordered his arrest.
“Thousands of followers lied down to block the prison car,” a local reporter said. A case has been filed against Chimnoy in charge of sedition, accusing him of hosting a flag on the top of a stand of Bangladesh’s national flag. But the man who filed the case has now disagreed to continue the case, a minority leader said.
Acting General Secretary of the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, Manindra Kumar Nath, said that 2,010 incidents of attacks, including murder, molestation, and kidnapping, were reported against minorities in Bangladesh, affecting 1,705 families.
Speaking about the ongoing situation in Bangladesh, where the religious leader and spokesperson of the Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatan Jagran Jote, Chinmoy Krishna Das, was arrested by Bangladeshi police, Nath highlighted the widespread atrocities faced by Hindu, Christian, and Buddhist populations across the country. He noted that despite the scale of the violence, the interim government had not taken any steps to investigate or hold anyone accountable for these incidents.
“It is very unfortunate… We have seen that almost across all 64 districts of Bangladesh, there have been atrocities against Hindu populations and also against Christians and Buddhists. From that, we have gathered statistics through our organisation, which show that there were 2,010 incidents of attacks, including murder, molestation, and kidnapping, affecting 1,705 families from the community. Despite this, the interim government has not taken any steps to investigate or hold anyone accountable for these incidents,” Nath said.
Nath also pointed out that as a result of these atrocities, saints and monks have been protesting in various cities in the country, including Dhaka, Chattogram, and Rampur. These demonstrations, he noted, have faced attempts to disrupt them, with participants being abused and even injured during protests.
“As a result, even saints and monks have come forward to protest against these atrocities through various demonstrations. We have seen protests in Dhaka, in Chattogram, and a large demonstration in Rampur. There have also been attempts to disrupt these demonstrations, with people being abused during the protests. Even after Chinmoy’s arrest, there was another protest where people were injured,” he said.
Nath stated that the protests were aimed at advocating for eight key reforms for the Sanatani people. These reforms include demands for time off during religious festivities, investigations into the atrocities, and the right to pray in religious places. Nath stressed that these demands are basic and focused on creating an anti-discriminatory society.
He further criticised the interim government for not providing adequate representation for the minority communities and expressed concerns that the absence of such representation is hindering communal progress in the country.
ALSO READ: Interim govt of Bangladesh to review Adani Group’s energy project
