Foreign Secretary going to Bangladesh on Dec 9 for consultations: India

Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, said, “The Foreign Secretary is scheduled to visit Bangladesh for Foreign Office Consultations on December 9. This is part of our structured interactions with the Bangladesh side.”

Last week, Bangladesh police arrested Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari on the charge of sedition and a court there denied him bail. This had India expressing “deep concern” and urging authorities “to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and all minorities” in Bangladesh.

On Friday, when he was asked about the case, Jaiswal said, “We have spoken on this issue earlier. We would like to reiterate our expectation that relevant legal processes underway in Bangladesh are executed in a fair, just and transparent manner, ensuring full respect for the legal rights of concerned individuals.”

Das, who has been leading rallies demanding security for Hindus, was arrested from Dhaka’s main airport last week while travelling to Chattogram in southeastern Bangladesh.

He faces the charge of sedition, filed in October, after he led a rally in Chattogram in which he was accused of disrespecting the Bangladesh national flag. A member of the Bangladesh Sammilito Sanatan Jagaran Jote group, Das is associated with the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).

He was denied bail and sent to prison, triggering protests by community members in various locations, including Dhaka and Chattogram.

This incident led to a verbal duel between the governments in New Delhi and Dhaka.

The Indian government fired the first salvo with the MEA saying, “We have noted with deep concern the arrest and denial of bail to Shri Chinmoy Krishna Das, who is also the spokesperson of the Bangladesh Sammilito Sanatan Jagran Jote. 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,” the MEA had said.

“We urge Bangladesh authorities to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and all minorities, including their right of freedom of peaceful assembly and expression,” it said.

Dhaka reacted to New Delhi’s statement, calling the issue “internal affairs of Bangladesh”. It said “such unfounded statements not only misrepresent facts, but also stand contrary to the spirit of friendship and understanding between the two neighbouring countries”.

This is the latest instance of New Delhi raising the issue of safety of Hindus in Bangladesh. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has previously raised the issue in public statements and in a phone conversation with Prof Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of the Bangladesh interim government.

Sheikh Hasina, the ousted Prime Minister of Bangladesh, has also condemned the arrest of the Hindu leader and demanded his immediate release, saying that religious freedom and the security of life and property of all communities must be ensured.

Hasina also demanded punishment for those involved in the murder of a lawyer in Chattogram, saying the “unconstitutional” government led by Muhammad Yunus had failed to provide security to common people.

Misri’s visit is expected to address these issues as he holds discussions with the Bangladesh government and the political class in Dhaka.