Lagatar24 Desk
Dhaka: Advocate Ramen Roy, known for defending Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Prabhu Das in court, has been brutally attacked and is currently in the ICU. The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) Kolkata spokesperson, Radharamn Das, alleged that “Islamists” were behind the attack and that Roy’s home was also ransacked.
“Defending Chinmoy Das Was His ‘Fault’,” Says ISKCON
ISKCON’s Radharamn Das shared a post on X, urging prayers for Roy and condemning the assault. He stated, “Please pray for Advocate Ramen Roy. His only ‘fault’ was defending Chinmoy Krishna Prabhu in court. Islamists ransacked his home and brutally attacked him, leaving him in the ICU, fighting for his life.”
Please pray for Advocate Ramen Roy. His only 'fault' was defending Chinmoy Krishna Prabhu in court.
Islamists ransacked his home and brutally attacked him, leaving him in the ICU, fighting for his life.#SaveBangladeshiHindus #FreeChinmoyKrishnaPrabhu pic.twitter.com/uudpC10bpN
— Radharamn Das राधारमण दास (@RadharamnDas) December 2, 2024
Das further claimed that this attack underscores the growing dangers faced by those advocating for religious minorities in Bangladesh.
Chinmoy Das’s Arrest and Escalating Tensions
Chinmoy Das, a former ISKCON priest and spokesperson for Bangladesh Sammilita Sanatani Jagran Jote, was arrested last week at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport while traveling to Chattogram for a rally. Facing sedition charges, Das has been denied bail and remains in custody.
The arrest has sparked unrest, leading to violent clashes. A public prosecutor, Saiful Islam Alif, was killed in the violence, suffering fatal head injuries during the chaos. The situation has heightened tensions, particularly for the Hindu minority in Bangladesh.
Decline of Bangladesh’s Hindu Population
The attack and ongoing unrest come against the backdrop of a declining Hindu population in Bangladesh. Once constituting 22% of the population during the 1971 Liberation War, the Hindu community now accounts for just 8%, largely due to socio-political marginalization, exodus, and sporadic violence.
This incident highlights the precarious position of religious minorities in Bangladesh and raises urgent concerns about their safety and rights.
