On Monday, November 25, 2024, Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, a former member of International Society of Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in Bangladesh and also a spokesperson for Bangladesh Sammilita Sanatani Jagran Jote, was arrested for sedition case at Dhaka’s Shah Jalal International Airport, Bangladesh. He was later denied bail by Chattogram High Court and remains in custody with the Chattogram Police.
A complaint was filed against Krishna Das by Firoz Khan (former member 0f BNP) for representing saffron flag in a rally and committing atrocities against Bangladeshi people on Oct 25 by Hindu Community, thereby insulting Bangladesh’s national flag, in Chattogram. 18 others were also accused for the same. This arrest sparked protests in Chattogram and other cities of Bangladesh by Hindu Community and members of ISKCON, claiming the reason for arrest was false and every citizen, even the minorities have the right to practice there religion and free speech.
Over this incident, Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, voiced his concern for Hindu priest and community members who are being assaulted for peacefully protesting the arrest of Chinmoy Das.
Another Incident adds to spark the debate when ISKCON Kolkata spokeperson, Radharamn Das claims the arrest of 2 more Hindu priests in Bangladesh.
Two Hindu monks, Adipurush Shyam Das and Ranganath Das were arrested by Chattogram Police when returning after meeting with Chinmoy Das in jail.
Two devotees went with prasad for Chinmay Das in jail and were arrested on there return by Chattogram Police says Radharamn Das in a tweet.
Radharamn Das took to Twitter to express his concerns about the hardship of Hindus in Bangladesh. In his tweet, He urged people to visit the nearest ISKCON temple to pray for those arrested and for those Hindus who are unjustly assaulted for practicing there rights.
Followed by another tweet featuring Shyam Das picture with caption “Does he look like a terrorist?”
Does he look like a terrorist?#FreeISKCONMonks Bangladesh. The arrest of innocent #ISKCON brahmacharis are deeply shocking & disturbing. pic.twitter.com/VG6u7jlnXB
— Radharamn Das राधारमण दास (@RadharamnDas) November 30, 2024
Radharamn Das also shares images and videos on his twitter account, documenting violence on Hindus and vandalism of temples by Bangladeshi mobs.
😪 PRAYERS PLEASE 🙏
NOTHING ELSE SEEMS TO WORK #Bangladesh#SaveBangladeshiHindus pic.twitter.com/hCUYxGxru3— Radharamn Das राधारमण दास (@RadharamnDas) November 30, 2024
Protests are breaking out all over Bangladesh and even in India against the arrest of Chinmoy Das, But why the violence against Hindus in Bangladesh? Is it due to the peaceful protests they are demonstrating or is it something else?
Many Hindu leaders and community members supported Sheikh Hasina but after the fall of Awami League and flee of Sheikh Hasina on 5 August,2024, those who supported Awami League are largely targeted. This might have been done by opposing parties, but doesn’t confirms whether the protests for ISKCON immediate ban in Bangladesh is anti-hindu or due to some other reason.
