India has expressed its “deep concern” over the arrest and subsequent denial of bail to Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, spokesperson of the Bangladesh Sanatan Jagaran Mancha and head of Pundarik Dham in Chittagong.
Das was taken into custody by the Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport around 4:30 pm on Monday. He was later produced before Judge Kazi Shariful Islam of Chittagong’s 6th Metropolitan Magistrate Court at approximately 10:30 am local time on Tuesday.
After rejecting his bail plea, the judge sent the Hindu priest—who is also associated with the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON)—to jail.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) condemned the arrest and denial of bail, stating it has taken note of the incident with “deep concern.” The MEA also highlighted the broader issue of ongoing violence against minorities, particularly Hindus, in Bangladesh. The ministry added, “This incident follows multiple attacks on Hindus and other minorities by extremist elements in Bangladesh. Documented cases of arson, looting of minority homes and businesses, theft, vandalism, and desecration of deities and temples are deeply troubling.”
The MEA expressed concern that while the perpetrators of these attacks remain at large, charges were pressed against a religious leader who had been peacefully gathering to present legitimate demands. The ministry also noted the attacks on minorities protesting peacefully against Das’s arrest.
India called on Bangladeshi authorities to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and all minorities, emphasizing their right to peaceful assembly and expression.
Protests erupted in several parts of Bangladesh after news of Das’s arrest spread on social media late Monday. In Chittagong, hundreds of Hindus gathered at the Cheragi intersection to demand his immediate release. Video footage circulating online showed Bangladeshi police charging at the protesters, who were chanting slogans in support of Das. It is believed that several Hindu protesters were injured during the clash.
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) also called on the Indian government to intervene. “We have come across disturbing reports that Sri Chinmoy Krishna Das, one of the prominent leaders of ISKCON Bangladesh, has been detained by Dhaka police. It is outrageous to make baseless allegations that ISKCON has anything to do with terrorism anywhere in the world,” ISKCON said in a press release late Monday night. “ISKCON urges the Government of India to take immediate steps, speak to the government of Bangladesh, and convey that we are a peace-loving Bhakti movement.”
ISKCON, a Gaudiya Vaishnava Hindu religious organization with followers worldwide, also appealed for the immediate release of Das, offering prayers for his safety and protection.
This latest incident has raised serious concerns about the safety of Hindus in Bangladesh, who form the country’s largest minority community. There have been repeated incidents of vandalism, looting, arson, land grabbing, and threats to force Hindus to leave the country, particularly since the interim government led by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus assumed power on August 8.
Earlier, the Bangladesh Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Oikya Parishad sent an open letter to Yunus, expressing profound sorrow and concern over the increasing violence against minorities. Despite assurances from Yunus and his religious affairs advisor A.F.M. Khalid Hossain that the current government supports communal harmony, the violence, which intensified after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left Dhaka, continues to foster widespread fear and uncertainty among Bangladesh’s Hindu community.
(Inputs from IANS)