India has expressed strong condemnation over the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, a Hindu priest and prominent minority leader in Bangladesh. In a statement released on Tuesday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) called on Bangladeshi authorities to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and other religious minorities amid rising concerns of violence and discrimination.
Arrest at Dhaka Airport
Chinmoy Krishna Das, a former leader of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in Bangladesh and the spokesperson for the Sammilit Sanatan Jagran Jote, was arrested at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Monday. He was detained in connection with a sedition case filed in Chattogram on October 31, according to reports by The Daily Star.
The MEA highlighted its “deep concern” over the incident, particularly the denial of bail to Das. “This incident follows the multiple attacks on Hindus and other minorities by extremist elements in Bangladesh,” the ministry said in its statement.
Concerns Over Minority Safety
The MEA criticized the Bangladeshi government for failing to address violence against minorities, noting that several documented cases of arson, looting, vandalism, and desecration of Hindu temples and deities remain unresolved.
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“We have noted with concern the arrest and denial of bail to Shri Chinmoy Krishna Das…while the perpetrators of these [violent] incidents remain at large,” the statement emphasized, underscoring the need for urgent action to protect minority communities.
India also expressed dismay at reports of attacks on peaceful protesters who were demonstrating against Das’s arrest. These incidents have raised further questions about the treatment of religious minorities in Bangladesh, a nation where Hindus comprise about 8 percent of the 170 million population.
Backdrop of Political Instability
Chinmoy Krishna Das’s arrest comes amid escalating tensions over minority rights in Bangladesh. Since the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the new military-backed interim government led by Mohammed Yunus has faced criticism for failing to curb rising violence against minorities.
The MEA urged the Bangladeshi authorities to take immediate steps to ensure the safety of minorities and address the increasing threats against their communities.
