New Delhi [India]: Union Minister Giriraj Singh strongly condemned the arrest of ISKCON Bangladesh priest Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari and called on the United Nations to intervene. He accused Bangladesh’s interim government of being influenced by radical elements and criticized the denial of bail to the priest.
“The Bangladesh government is working under the pressure of radicals. These radicals are vandalising temples. I thank the government of India for taking this matter very seriously. The United Nations should also take cognisance of the situation,” Singh told media.
Arrest and Legal Proceedings
Chinmoy Krishna Das was arrested on Monday and presented before Judge Kazi Shariful Islam of the Chittagong Sixth Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. Despite a bail petition from his lawyers, the court denied bail and remanded him to custody.
The priest faces charges of sedition for allegedly raising a flag on a stand bearing Bangladesh’s national flag. However, according to a minority leader, the complainant has expressed reluctance to pursue the case.
Minority Group Outcry
The Bangladesh Hindu Bouddha Christian Unity Council (BHBCUC), the nation’s largest minority organisation, condemned the arrest and demanded the immediate release of Chinmoy Krishna Das.
“We strongly condemn the arrest of Prabhu Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, spokesperson of Sammilita Sanatani Jagran Jote, from the Dhaka airport area on Monday afternoon,” said Manindra Kumar Nath, Acting General Secretary of BHBCUC.
He added, “This arrest will tarnish Bangladesh’s international reputation regarding freedom of expression and human rights.”
Related Violence in Chittagong
The arrest has sparked unrest, with violent clashes reported in Chittagong. During the unrest, lawyer Saiful Islam Alif was allegedly killed.
“Saiful Islam Alif was brutally hacked to death,” said Ashraf Hossain Razzak, General Secretary of the Chittagong Bar Association.
Nazim Uddin Chowdhury, President of the Chittagong Bar Association, confirmed the killing to ANI and announced the suspension of court activities on Wednesday in protest. The motive for the killing remains unclear.
Calls for International Attention
The incident has drawn attention to concerns over religious freedom and human rights in Bangladesh, with calls for global intervention to address the situation.