New Delhi: India on Tuesday voiced “deep concern” over the arrest and denial of bail to the spokesperson of a Hindu rights group in Bangladesh, urging Dhaka to uphold the “right of freedom of peaceful assembly and expression” for religious minorities, including Hindus.
Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, spokesperson for the Bangladesh Sammilita Sanatani Jagaran Jote, was detained on Monday afternoon at Dhaka’s Shahjalal International Airport and transported to Chattogram.
Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari’s bailplea in Chattogram Metropolitan Court was rejected. Photo: Kamol Das
The arrest stems from a sedition case filed on October 30 by Firoz Khan, general secretary of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP’s) Chandgaon Mohra ward, against Chinmoy Krishna and 19 others. The charges relate to the alleged hoisting of the saffron ISKCON flag above Bangladesh’s national flag during a public rally in Chattogram on October 25. Media reports indicate that Firoz Khan was subsequently dismissed from the BNP in connection with the case.
After appearing in the Chattogram metropolitan court, Chinmoy Krishna’s defence lawyer Swarup Kanti Nath applied for bail, arguing his client’s innocence. However, the court rejected the plea.
“During the bail hearing, we argued that the case is baseless and conspiratorial. Chinmoy Krishna has not committed any anti-state activities. Despite this, the court denied bail but directed that he be afforded divisional status in jail,” said Nath.
He added that the court approved Chinmoy Krishna’s request to follow his dietary and religious practices in jail.
Speaking to Prothom Alo, the lawyer also stated that an appeal decision is expected in the coming days.
The Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement expressing that India has “noted with deep concern the arrest and denial of bail to Shri Chinmoy Krishna Das, who is also the spokesperson of the Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatan Jagran Jote.”
“This incident follows the multiple attacks on Hindus and other minorities by extremist elements in Bangladesh. There are several documented cases of arson and looting of minorities’ homes and business establishments, as well as theft and vandalism and desecration of deities and temples,” the press note stated.
After news of Chinmoy Krishna’s arrest broke, protestors gathered on the streets. Photo: Kamol Das
The MEA described it as “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.” It further noted “attacks on minorities protesting peacefully” against Chinmoy Krishna’s arrest and called on “Bangladesh authorities to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and all minorities, including their right of freedom of peaceful assembly and expression.”
Meanwhile, The Daily Star reported that Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, adviser of youth, sports, and local government, stated at an event in Rangpur that Chinmoy Krishna had been arrested on charges of sedition, not as a leader of any community.
“The government will take strict action against any act of sedition that threatens the sovereignty and independence of Bangladesh. Let it be clear to all: no one, regardless of their position or influence, will be spared if involved in such activities,” Mahmud said.
He also asserted that law enforcement agencies operate in the interest of national security without any communal bias.
After news of Chinmoy Krishna’s arrest broke, hundreds gathered at Dhaka’s Shahbagh intersection on Monday evening.
Local media reported that approximately 200 ISKCON supporters convened at the square to call for his release. Witnesses cited by the media said tensions escalated when another unidentified group, armed with sticks, clashed with the demonstrators and assaulted Chinmoy Krishna’s supporters.
“An unidentified group initially blocked the Shahbagh intersection, but another group soon intervened and dispersed them,” a local police officer told The Daily Star.
Protests were also reported in Chittagong, Rangpur, Dinajpur and Narayanganj.
On Tuesday, after Chinmoy Krishna’s bail was denied, a large crowd outside the courtroom began chanting slogans in his support. As he was escorted away in a police van, he addressed the crowd using a hand-held microphone, urging them to remain calm and refrain from actions that could destabilise the state, according to Dhaka Tribune.
Earlier, the Hindu-Bouddha-Christian Oikya Parishad condemned the arrest in a statement, warning that it could harm Bangladesh’s international reputation on issues of freedom of expression and human rights.
ISKCON Bangladesh also strongly condemned the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das. In its statement, ISKCON denounced “the attacks and acts of violence targeting Sanatani communities in various parts of the country.”
Since the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, India has repeatedly raised the issue of protection of Hindus in Bangladesh at several levels.
Relations with the interim government in Dhaka have been strained, as the new administration comprises civil society members and student activists who criticised the Awami League government, perceived to be close to New Delhi, for its alleged authoritarianism. Hasina fled to India on August 5, narrowly escaping as protesters stormed the prime minister’s office complex less than an hour later.