Former ISKCON member and Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das delivered a strong statement from a prison van outside a court in Dhaka, the day after being arrested on sedition charges in Bangladesh. Das expressed a desire for a unified Bangladesh, showing a victory sign before being detained by police as they dispersed hundreds of Hindu community supporters demonstrating against his arrest near the courthouse.
A video circulating online shows Chinmoy Krishna Das, known as the leader of Hindu demonstrations in Bangladesh, speaking to the Hindu population while surrounded by hundreds of his followers near a police vehicle. He encouraged his supporters to maintain peace in the nation and to persist with their demonstrations until their requests are fulfilled.
The accusations against Chinmoy are based on claims that he disrespected the flag of Bangladesh during a demonstration. Famous for organizing protests against violence towards minorities, he has become a symbol of defiance for the Hindu community. His detention has caused responses from his followers, who see it as a bid to silence minority voices in Bangladesh.
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Meanehile, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) expressed serious concern over the incident. In an official statement, the ministry said, “We urge the Bangladeshi authorities to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and all minorities. We also note with concern the attacks on minorities protesting peacefully against the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das.”
Arrested over the charges of sedition, Bangaldeshi Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das’s bail application was rejected by the Chittagong’s Metropolitan Mesgistrate Court. As the police did not seek Chinmay Das’s remand, the court sent the Hindu priest to judicial custody, directing that he be granted all religious privileges during his detention.
