Taking strong exception to attacks on minorities in Bangladesh, India on Tuesday noted with “deep concern” the arrest, and denial of bail, to Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das there and urged authorities there to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and all minorities.
Bangladesh police on Monday arrested Das, the leader of the Hindu group, Sammilita Sanatani Jote, from the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport area in Dhaka.
In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said it has noted with “deep concern the arrest and denial of bail” to 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.
Das was reportedly arrested on charges of sedition and his bail application was rejected by the Chittagong Metropolitan Magistrate Court. The court, noting that the police did not request Das’ remand, ordered his transfer to judicial custody.
It also directed that he be granted all religious privileges during his detention. He was arrested on charges of disrespecting the Bangladeshi flag during a rally he addressed in October, according to Bangladeshi media reports.
Hindus in West Bengal have announced plans to protest and block the Petrapole Border if bail is not granted to ISKCON’s Chinmoy Das.
Meanwhile, Suvendu Adhikari, a senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, said the party would hold protests in front of the West Bengal Assembly over the situation in Bangladesh. A torch rally is also planned.
Concerned at the arrest of Swami Chinmoy Krishna Das a senior sadhu of International Society of Krishna Consciousness, Bangladesh the ISKCON has appealed to the Indian Government to take up the issue with the Government on the other side of the border so as to secure the release of the monk at the earliest.
In a strongly worded post on the X the Vaishnava order wrote, “We have come across disturbing reports that Sri Chinmoy Krishna Das one of the prominent leaders of Iskcon 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 ... Speak to the Government of Bangladesh and convey that we are a peace-loving Bhakti movement.”
The BJP and the Hindu Jagaran Manch in Kolkata also warned of a strong movement if the Iskcon monk was not released immediately. Bengal Opposition Leader Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday took out a procession condemning the arrest and said his party would gherao the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission if the Indian Sadhu was not released. “All the Sanatanis will descend on the streets and the BJP will lead this movement as the TMC will not act due to its votebank politics... we will gherao the Deputy High Commission and even blockade the Petrapole border,” Adhikari posted.
