Indian authorities and Hindu spiritual leaders are expressing deep concern amid escalation of tensions over the arrest of ISKCON’s (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) Bangladesh chapter priest Chinmoy Krishna Das.
The issue snowballed on 25 November when Das was stopped abruptly from boarding a flight to Chittagong, at the Hazrat Shah Jalal International Airport in Dhaka by metropolitan police’s detective branch. Police spokesperson Talebur Rahman confirmed the arrest but did not give details of the charges. A prominent monk leading to organize rights of Hindus in Bangladesh, Das was taken to a police station while a court ordered to send him to jail after turning down his bail appeal.
The reasons for his arrest remain unclear. However, multiple reports suggest it could be over an alleged insult of the national flag during a protest rally. Das has been one of the towering figures among Bangladesh’ Hindu minority and has been very vocal about the safety of minorities after the ouster of Sheikh Hasina government earlier this year.
War of words between Delhi, Dhaka
On 26 November, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs issued an official statement expressing “deep concern” over the recent developments in Bangladesh.
“We have noted with deep concern the arrest and denial of bail to Chinmoy Krishna Das… This incident follows the multiple attacks on Hindus and other minorities by extremist elements in Bangladesh… 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. We also note with concern the attacks on minorities protesting peacefully against the arrest of Shri Das.”
Our statement on the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das:https://t.co/HbaFUPWds0 pic.twitter.com/cdgSx6iUQb
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) November 26, 2024
In response, Bangladesh criticised India’s comments “on a matter concerning internal affairs of Bangladesh”.
The Bangladesh Ministry of External Affairs issued a sternly worded statement saying it has noted with “utter dismay and deep sense of hurt” that India’s “unfounded statements not only misrepresent facts but also stand contrary to the spirit of friendship and understanding between the two neighbouring countries”.
Dhaka also emphasized that the country’s judiciary is “fully independent” and Dr Yunus’ government is in fact, “deeply concerned over the brutal killing of Advocate Saiful Islam Atif” in Chattogram.
🇧🇩 Government is firm to uphold religious #harmony in #Bangladesh, irrespective of religious affiliation, and uphold rule of law for every Bangladeshi, without distinction, under the laws of the land. pic.twitter.com/gGaOrJ2SHl
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs (@BDMOFA) November 26, 2024
The 35-year-old lawyer Saiful Islam Alif was killed in clashes between security forces and followers of Hindu priest Das, who were protesting against Das’ vague arrest.
ISKCON US, India respond
New York-based ISKCON, which was the first one established in 1966 by Srila Prabhupada, has responded to Bangladesh’ arrest of Das.
“We have come across disturbing reports that Sri Chinmoy Krishna Das, one of the prominent leaders of ISKCON Bangladesh, 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,” it said in a post on social media platform X.
ISKCON US also urged Indian government to take immediate steps.
“ISKCON, Inc. urges the Government of India to take immediate steps and speak to the Government of Bangladesh and convey that we are a peace-loving Bhakti movement. We want the Government of Bangladesh to release Chinmoy Krishna Das immediately. Our prayers to Lord Krishna for the protection of these devotees.”
We have come across disturbing reports that Sri Chinmoy Krishna Das, one of the prominent leaders of ISKCON Bangladesh, has been detained by the Dhaka police.
— Iskcon,Inc. (@IskconInc) November 25, 2024
It is outrageous to make baseless allegations that ISKCON has anything to do with terrorism anywhere in the world.…
Speaking to PressXpress, ISKCON India’s priest Prabhu Jankinath Das said, “ISKCON is asking help from Indian government… also appealing to the Bangladesh government to release him… We are praying for him.”
Meanwhile, ISKCON Bangladesh has also made an appeal on 26 November, to Dr Yunus saying Krishna Das is a “Bangladeshi citizen” and a “vocal advocate” for the protection of minority groups in the nation. “It is essential to uphold his right to free speech… we stress that any form of discrimination must not be tolerated.”
Statement from ISKCON Bangladesh regarding the current situation in Bangladesh and the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das shared earlier today. pic.twitter.com/T9tPUbsrzj
— ISKCON (@iskcon) November 26, 2024
Krishna Das is also the spokesperson for Bangladesh Sammilita Sanatani Jagran Jote, a platform for advocating Hindu minority rights.
Meanwhile, the organisation also issued a statement saying “No Sanatani is involved in the murder of lawyer Saiful Islam. A group is trying to blame the Sanatani by carrying out a planned murder.”
