Lagatar24 Desk
Dhaka: The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) has appealed to Bangladeshi authorities to ensure “peaceful coexistence” for Hindus following the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, a prominent Hindu leader, and the subsequent violence against the Sanatani community.
In a statement, ISKCON Bangladesh expressed strong condemnation of Das’ arrest and the increasing attacks on Hindu minorities across the nation. Charu Chandra Das Brahmachari, the general secretary of ISKCON Bangladesh, stated, “We express our serious concern and strongly denounce the recent arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das. We also condemn the subsequent violence and attacks against Sanatanis in various regions of Bangladesh. We urge the government authorities to promote peaceful coexistence for the Sanatani community.”
Arrest and Legal Proceedings
Chinmoy Krishna Das, a spokesperson for the Bangladesh Sammilita Sanatani Jagran Jote, was apprehended on Monday at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport while traveling to Chattogram for a rally. The Chattogram Sixth Metropolitan Magistrate Court denied him bail on Tuesday and sent him to jail on charges of sedition.
The ISKCON statement highlighted Das’ contributions as a vocal advocate for minority rights and the Sanatani community, urging the interim government led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus to uphold religious freedoms.
“Das has been a vocal advocate for the protection of minority groups in Bangladesh. Ensuring justice and fair treatment for him is crucial,” ISKCON emphasized.
Rising Violence Against Hindus
Since the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government in August, reports of over 200 attacks on Hindu minorities across more than 50 districts have raised alarms. The Hindu population, constituting around 8% of Bangladesh’s 170 million people, faces mounting challenges amidst escalating violence.
ISKCON demanded immediate identification and accountability of the perpetrators behind these attacks. It also called for robust measures to ensure the safety and civil rights of all minorities in Bangladesh.
India’s Concern
India has expressed “deep concern” over the rising violence against Hindus in Bangladesh. On Tuesday, the Indian government urged Bangladeshi authorities to ensure the security and well-being of all minority groups, including Hindus.
