Amid international condemnation over rising attack on minorities in Bangladesh, the South Asian country has made headlines again after Hindu Iskcon priest Chinmoy Krishna Das was arrested and then denied bail in a sedition case.
Ministry of external affairs expressed “deep concern” over Das’s arrest and denial of bail. “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,” it said in a statement.
Who is Chinmoy Krishna Das?
Das serves as the spokesperson for the Bangladesh Sammilita Sanatani Jagran Jote, a group that champions the rights and security of minorities.
He has been a vocal advocate for the Hindu (Sanatani) community in Bangladesh, calling for key reforms such as a minority protection law, a tribunal for fast-tracking cases of minority persecution, and the establishment of a dedicated ministry of minority affairs.
He gained widespread attention for organizing large public rallies, including one in Chittagong on October 25 and another in Rangpur on November 22, which sparked significant socio-political discussions across the country.
Why was Das arrested?
He was arrested following a controversy that erupted when a sedition case was filed against him and 18 others at in Chittagong on October 30.
The charges were linked to the hoisting of a saffron flag above Bangladesh’s official flag during the October 25 rally at Laldighi Maidan in Chattogram.
Das was presented before a Chittagong court on Tuesday, where his bail plea was denied, and he was sent into custody. The arrest has triggered widespread outrage, with many demanding his immediate release.
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