The arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, who is the spokesperson of Bangladesh’s Sanatan Jagaran Manch and the head of Pundarik Dham in Chittagong, has been a very volatile topic.
This occurred amidst an already sensitive time in Bangladesh where violence is said to have grown especially against the Hindu minorities and their temples, businesses, homes, and idols being attacked.
Who Is Chinmoy Krishna Das?
Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, is the spokesperson of Bangladesh Sommilito Sanatan Jagaran Jot, a recently formed coalition of two religious bodies including Bangladesh Sanatan Jagaran Manch and Bangladesh Sommilito Shankhaloghu Jot.
The Bangladesh Sommilito Sanatan Jagaran Jot supports the rights of Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh, where the state religion is Islam.
Along with that, as per the Dhaka Tribune, he is also the head of the ISKCON-operated Pundarik Dham.
The 39-year-old monk rose to prominence after violence against Hindus and their temples rose in alarming numbers when the Sheikh Hasina regime fell over. Quickly, in just a matter of months, he earned lakhs of followers filling up his rallies.
A Dhaka-based commentator, speaking anonymously with India Today Digital said “He raised his voice when everyone was silenced and suppressed. He emerged as the leader in time of crisis. The timing mattered.”
Why Was He Arrested?
The Detective Branch of the Dhaka Police arrested Chinmoy Krishna Das at the Dhaka International Airport while trying to board a flight to Chittagong on Monday on charges of sedition.
The Hindu priest linked to the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), was detained after a case was filed by the former Bangladesh National Party (BNP) leader Firoze Khan accusing him and several others of desecrating the national flag.
According to the news agency, PTI, a case filed on 30th October, accused 19 people including the priest of disrespecting Bangladesh’s national flag while at a Hindu community gathering.
The case filed at the Kotwali Police Station in Chattogram claimed that during a rally held on 25th October, a group of youths placed saffron flags over the national flag of Bangladesh on the Independent Pillar (Shadhinata Smathamva) at Zero Point in Dhaka. The event was said to have been organised under the “Sanatan Jagaran Mancha” banner.
After a 30-year-old lawyer was killed in the protests, Nahid Islam the Adviser of the interim government claimed in a Facebook post that Das was trying to destroy harmony in the country.
In a post dated 26 November published on his official Facebook page Nahid Islam wrote “But Chinmay Krishna Das was trying to create communal division with false and provocative speeches in various meetings.”
He further added that Indian media was also adding to the propaganda writing “Despite the sedition case, Chinmay Krishna was conducting various meetings without taking any legal action. The main objective of this kind of urgency was to draw the attention of the world media and to present Bangladesh and July coup as negative.
Indian media is doing such false propaganda. The way a lawyer was beaten to death by Chinmay Krishna supporters in Chittagong court today is unconscious.
Chinmay Krishna was working on planning to destroy harmony in the country and created such terrorist supporters for communal purpose. Fascist Awami League has tried to do a communal politics using minority communities. Now Indian media is also trying to create a communal situation by false propaganda.
Minority Hindu community is a citizen of Bangladesh. We will ensure their safety. But the Bangladesh government will ensure the highest justice in the legal process of destroying Hindutva terrorists.”
Read More: Why Does A Young Bangladeshi Hate India Today?
Protests In Bangladesh
Soon after his arrest, his supporters started to protest in Bangladesh. This intensified further when his bail appeal was turned down.
According to BDNews24.com “The court of Chattogram Sixth Metropolitan Magistrate Kazi Shariful Islam issued the order around 11:45 am on Tuesday.”
Thousands of his supporters had collected outside the court protesting that Das be released, however, when the bail was rejected violence broke out.
Some surrounded the prison van that was escorting the priest, while some reportedly threw stones at security forces. This led to the security forces deploying stun grenades and baton charges to control the crowd.
What Did India Say?
ISKCON members also condemned the arrest and called for his release. ISKCON Kolkata Vice President Radharaman Das said, “It is saddening when fingers are pointed at an organisation without any evidence (in Bangladesh).”
ISKCON Bangladesh General Secretary Charu Chandra Das Brahmachari commenting on the arrest said “We express our serious concern and strongly denounce the recent arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das… We also condemn the subsequent violence and attacks against Sanatanis in various regions of Bangladesh.”
He further added, “We urge the government authorities to promote peaceful coexistence for the Sanatani community.”
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) soon released a statement commenting on the arrest and expressed “deep concern” when his bail was denied.
The Indian MEA’s statement reads: “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.
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.”
What Did Bangladesh Say?
The Government of Bangladesh, however, in a statement on Tuesday claimed that the arrest had been “misconstrued”, and that the arrest of the seer was made on specific charges.
The country’s foreign affairs ministry, in a statement, wrote: “It is with utter dismay and deep sense of hurt that the Government of Bangladesh notes that the arrest of Sri Chinmoy Krishna Das has been misconstrued by certain quarters since Sri Chinmoy Krishna Das has been arrested on specific charges.”
Bangladesh further stated, “The Government of Bangladesh maintains that such unfounded statements not only misrepresent facts but also stand contrary to the spirit of friendship and understanding between the two neighbouring countries.”
The country further emphasised that they want to make sure all religious groups, including the majority and minority, are treated equally.
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Sources: Livemint, ANI News, The Economic Times
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