New Delhi: India expressed its condemnation on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, regarding the detention of ISKCON priest Chinmoy Krishna Das in Bangladesh. The Ministry of External Affairs conveyed its concerns about this arrest, highlighting that it follows a series of attacks on Hindus and other minority groups by extremist factions in Bangladesh. Regrettably, those responsible for these acts remain at large.
The apprehension of the Hindu monk at Shahjalal International Airport on Monday afternoon has ignited protests, with ISKCON and various Bangladeshi minority organizations denouncing the action. Chinmoy Krishna Das, who serves as the spokesperson for the Bangladesh Sanatan Jagaran Mancha and leads Pundarik Dham in Chittagong, was taken into custody by the Detective Branch of Dhaka Metropolitan Police at approximately 4:30 PM on Monday.
While officials did not immediately provide specific details regarding the charges against him, local media reports indicate that his arrest stemmed from a complaint lodged by former BNP leader Firoze Khan, alleging the desecration of the national flag.
The incident that allegedly prompted the arrest occurred on October 25 during a protest organized by the Hindu community in Rangpur, located 300 kilometers north of Dhaka. Hundreds of minority members participated in the march, advocating for enhanced legal protections and the establishment of a dedicated ministry for minority affairs.
The Bangladesh Sanatan Jagaran Mancha organized a rally in Chattogram, which was attended by Chinmay Krishna Das. Following the event, a sedition case was initiated against him and 18 other individuals. The charges stemmed from allegations that they raised a saffron flag above the official flag of Bangladesh during the rally.
A viral video captured the moment, showing a group of individuals wearing saffron headbands erecting saffron flags near what was presented as the national flag of Bangladesh at Zero Point in the New Market area of Chattogram. Under Bangladesh’s Penal Code, the offense of sedition can result in a prison sentence of up to life imprisonment.
Chinmay Krishna Das, however, has refuted any involvement in the incident, asserting that he was not present at the protest site when the alleged act occurred, which took place approximately 2 kilometers away from the Lal Dighi protest location.
The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council has vehemently condemned and protested the arrest of Chinmay Krishna Das Brahmachari, expressing concerns that his detention could tarnish the country’s reputation regarding freedom of speech.
ISKCON has also reached out for assistance from External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, tagging him in a social media post. Radharamn Das, spokesperson for ISKCON, stated, “I just received the shocking news that Chinmay Krishna Das Brahmachari, a Hindu monk and a prominent leader for Bangladeshi minorities during these challenging times, has been arrested by the Dhaka police and taken to an undisclosed location. Kind attention.”
