Bangladesh Court Issues Arrest Order for Hindu Leader Chinmoy Krishna Das

Court Orders Arrest of Hindu Monk

A court in Bangladesh has mandated the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das, a Hindu religious figure, in connection with four separate cases involving vandalism and assaults on police officers that occurred in November, as reported by a local news outlet.

Previously affiliated with the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, Das has been incarcerated since November 25. His arrest stemmed from allegations of disrespecting the national flag during a rally held on October 25 in Chittagong.

Das serves as the spokesperson for the Sammilito Sanatani Jagaron Jote, an organization dedicated to advocating for the rights of Hindus and other minority groups in Bangladesh.

On November 26, violence erupted between Das' supporters and lawyers outside the Chattogram Court when his bail request was denied, leading to a tragic incident where a lawyer named Saiful Islam Alif was killed.

Following the recent court order, Das has been implicated in five cases, including a murder charge, in addition to facing sedition allegations.

Earlier, on April 30, a High Court bench had granted him bail in the sedition case, but this decision was later suspended by the Appellate Division's chamber judge.

In light of Das' arrest, India's Ministry of External Affairs expressed its concerns regarding the treatment of Hindus and minorities in Bangladesh, advocating for a fair trial for the detained leader.

Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized the need for the interim government to protect all minority groups, highlighting the rise in extremist rhetoric and violence.

In response, Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the situation surrounding Das' arrest falls under its internal matters and dismissed India's calls for ensuring the safety of minorities.

ISKCON clarified that Das is no longer part of their organization but reiterated their support for his rights and his peaceful advocacy for the protection of Hindus and their places of worship.