The Director of Communications for ISKCON India, Yudhishthir Govinda Das, expressed deep concern on Thursday regarding the arrest of ISKCON priest Chinmoy Krishna Das in Bangladesh. He attributed the incident to sustained actions by radical elements targeting Hindu communities in the neighboring country.
Speaking to media, Govinda Das highlighted that Chinmoy Krishna Das has consistently advocated for the protection of Hindus and temples in Bangladesh.
“Chinmoy Krishna has been peacefully calling for the same demands as other Hindu organisations in Bangladesh: ensuring the safety of Hindus, protecting temples, and holding perpetrators of violence accountable. Radical elements in Bangladesh have been targeting our community for years. Many of our temples were attacked in Noakhali, where two of our members were tragically killed. Recently, one of our centres in Meherpur was also attacked. We have repeatedly tried to convey the gravity of the situation to both local and national authorities in Bangladesh,” Govinda Das said.
Appeal to Prime Minister Modi for Intervention
A group of retired judges, bureaucrats, and a sitting MP recently addressed a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to intervene and address the escalating violence and discrimination faced by Hindus in Bangladesh.
The letter, dated November 27, called on the Indian government to escalate the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari to international platforms such as the United Nations, the Human Rights Council, and other relevant forums.
Legal and Political Controversy in Bangladesh
The arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das on sedition charges has further strained relations between ISKCON and the Bangladesh government, sparking protests and unrest within the Hindu community. The charges are linked to allegations of activities deemed provocative by authorities.
A lawyer in Bangladesh has filed a petition seeking a ban on ISKCON, claiming it to be a “radical organisation” promoting communal discord. The petition alleges that ISKCON has been engaging in activities designed to incite unrest, imposing its beliefs on traditional Hindu communities, and forcibly recruiting members.
The developments have drawn widespread criticism, with ISKCON leaders and Hindu organisations condemning the charges and calling for justice for Chinmoy Krishna Das.
Background of Violence Against Hindus in Bangladesh
Govinda Das underscored the long history of attacks against Hindus and ISKCON properties in Bangladesh. Citing examples of previous violence, he pointed to attacks on temples in Noakhali and Meherpur and the deaths of ISKCON members as evidence of ongoing challenges faced by the minority Hindu community.
Amid the rising tensions, ISKCON India has called for collective action from the global Hindu community and urged Indian authorities to take a firm stance on the issue.