Bangladesh Hindu monk arrested in Bangladesh: What we know so far

A court in Bangladesh on Tuesday ordered to send Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, a leader of the Hindu group Sammilita Sanatani Jote, to jail after turning down his bail appeal.

India reacted to the denial of his bail and urged authorities there to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and all minorities.

WHY WAS CHINMOY KRISHNA DAS ARRESTED?

Bangladesh police on Monday arrested Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, a leader of the Hindu group Sammilita Sanatani Jote, from the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport area in Dhaka.

“Chinmoy Krishna Das was detained in line with a request from (regular police),” spokesman of the Police’s Detective Branch Rezaul Karim said.

A case was filed against Chinmoy Krishna Das and 18 others on October 30 at Chattogram’s Kotwali Police Station leader on the complaint of a leader of former prime minister Khaleda Zia’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which accused them of disrespecting the national flag in the city’s Laldighi Maidan during a rally of the Hindu community on Oct 25.

WHAT DID THE COURT SAY?

During the hearing of Das’ case, Chattogram’s Sixth Metropolitan Magistrate Kazi Shariful Islam rejected his bail petition.

The judge said since Das was arrested from outside the port city, as per law he is required to be kept under judicial custody for 24 hours.

The court then ordered that Das be taken to jail and directed the prison authorities to allow the Hindu priest to practice his religious rituals as per the Jail Code.

IS CHINMOY KRISHNA DAS A PART OF ISKCON?

Bengali-language newspaper Prothom Alo reported that Chandan Kumar Dhar, also known as Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, was a leader of International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), which recently expelled him.

Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council condemned the detention, saying it could affect the country’s image abroad.

Citing Sanatani Jagran Jote’s key organiser, Gaurang Das Brahmachari, Bdnews24 news portal said that Chinmoy Krishna Das was supposed to go to Chattogram by air from Dhaka.

ISKCON’S RESPONSE

ISKCON condemned the detention of Chinmoy Krishna Das and said that it has nothing to do with terrorism anywhere.

In a post on X, ISKCON stated, “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. urges the Government of India to take immediate steps and speak to the Government of Bangladesh and convey that we are a peace-loving Bhakti movement. We want the Government of Bangladesh to release Chinmoy Krishna Das immediately. Our prayers to Lord Krishna for the protection of these devotees.”

Sadhguru, spiritual guru and founder of Tamil Nadu-based Isha Foundation, also strongly condemned the incident.

He posted on X, “It is disgraceful to see how a democratic nation is disintegrating to become theocratic and autocratic. It is the responsibility of every citizen to understand the value of having an open democracy. Persecution on the basis of religion or weakness of demographics is not the way of democratic nations. Unfortunately, our neighborhood has slipped away from democratic principles.”

The post further read, “It should be the responsibility of every citizen of Bangladesh to build back a democratic nation where all citizens will have the needed rights and ability to fulfill their lives as per their requirements and beliefs.”

WHAT DID INDIA SAY?

In a statement, the MEA said it has noted with ‘deep concern the arrest and denial of bail’ to Chinmoy Krishna Das who is also the spokesperson of the Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatan Jagran Jote.

“This incident follows the multiple attacks on Hindus and other minorities by extremist elements in Bangladesh,” it said.

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 MEA flagged.

“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,” the statement said.

The MEA also noted 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,” it added.

WHAT DID BANGLADESH SAY?

Local government affairs adviser and Anti-Discrimination Student’s Movement leader Asif Mahmud said Das has been arrested not as a leader of any community but for sedition.

“If someone is involved in any incident like sedition, he will not be spared,” he told reporters following a public rally in northwestern Rangpur city.

“If Bangladesh’s sovereignty and independence are endangered or the country is exposed to dishonour or contempt, the government will definitely take steps,” Mahmud said.

ARREST TRIGGERS RALLIES

Chinmoy Krishna Das’ arrest triggered street rallies in Dhaka and Chattogram by Hindus.

Hundreds of people from the Hindu community on Monday took to the streets at the Cheragi Pahar intersection in Chattogram, demanding his immediate release. Similarly, the Hindu community members in Dhaka blocked the Shahbagh intersection, protesting the arrest.

Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council also protested Das’ arrest and demanded his immediate release.

Officials said Das was escorted to the court amid tight security as a number of his supporters, including lawyers, chanted slogans protesting his arrest.

Witnesses said Das greeted his supporters gathered at the court premises with folded hands as they chanted slogans and asked them to refrain from chanting religious slogans at the scene.

Bangladesh’s minority Hindus, which constitute only about 8 per cent of the 170 million population, have faced over 200 attacks in 50-odd districts since the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government on August 5.

With PTI inputs