ISKCON monk Chinmoy Das held in Bangladesh for sedition: All you need to know

“A Muslim lawyer defending Das was killed amid protests outside the court (in Chittagong),” said police officer Liaquat Ali, Reuters reported.

Chandan Kumar Dhar, also known as Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, a former ISKCON leader, and the spokesperson of the country’s Sanatan Jagaran Manch as well as the head of Pundarik Dham in Chittagong was detained on Monday at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, according to The Daily Star.

Why the Arrest

A team of detectives reportedly apprehended Chinmoy Krishna Das in connection with a sedition case filed in Chattogram. Rezaul Karim Mallick, additional commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police and chief of the Detective Branch, confirmed the arrest.

The sedition case, lodged on October 31 at Kotwali Police Station in Chattogram, named 18 individuals, including Das, who previously served as ISKCON’s divisional organising secretary in Chattogram. According to The Daily Star, the complaint was filed by Firoz Khan, the then-general secretary of Mohora Ward Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Khan alleged that Bangladesh’s national flag was disrespected during a rally in Chattogram’s New Market area.

“The interim government is committed to ensuring and upholding communal harmony in Bangladesh at any cost,” Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus-led government said ordering a probe in the case.

When Das was being escorted back to prison from court, more than 2,000 supporters surrounded the van, blocking it for over two hours, Chittagong Metropolitan Police Commissioner Hasib Aziz, said, as per a report by Reuters.

“They went on a rampage, throwing bricks at us. To disperse the crowd, we had to fire tear gas. No one was seriously injured, but one of our constables was hurt,” Aziz said.

ISKCON Condemns the Arrest

ISKCON has denounced the charges as baseless and called for Chinmoy Krishna Das’s immediate release. The organisation emphasised its peaceful principles and denied any connection to terrorism.

In a post on X, ISKCON stated: “We have come across disturbing reports that Sri Chinmoy Krishna Das, one of the prominent leaders of ISKCON Bangladesh, has been detained by the Dhaka police. It is outrageous to make baseless allegations that ISKCON has anything to do with terrorism anywhere in the world. ISKCON, Inc. urges the Government of India to take immediate steps and speak to the Government of Bangladesh and convey that we are a peace-loving Bhakti movement. We want the Government of Bangladesh to release Chinmoy Krishna Das immediately. Our prayers to Lord Krishna for the protection of these devotees.”

The detention has highlighted growing concerns about the treatment of religious minorities and raised questions about freedom of expression and the safety of Hindu leaders in Bangladesh.

India’s reaction

India has expressed “deep concern” over the arrest of the Hindu leader. With New Delhi, saying in a sternly worded statement that the perpetrators of documented vandalism and arson against minorities as well as those who desecrated deities remained at large.

“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 Sammilit Sanatan Jagran Jote. This incident follows the multiple attacks on Hindus and other minorities by extremist elements in Bangladesh… 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,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Tuesday (November 26).

Bangladesh’s response

The Government of Bangladesh on Tuesday said that the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, has been “misconstrued”, adding that the seer had been arrested on specific charges.

In a statement, Bangladesh said that ensuring the safety and security of all citizens, “particularly the members of religious minorities”, remains a duty of the country’s interim government.

“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,” the statement, released by the country’s foreign affairs ministry, said.

Bangladesh said that India’s statement “completely disregards” the fact that the Bangladesh government “is determined to conclusively end the culture of impunity to the perpetrators of gross human rights violations” against its citizens. It added that the country wants to treat the religious majorities and minorities equally.

While stating that the judiciary in Bangladesh functions independently, the country said that its government does not interfere in its work. “The matter under question is at present being dealt with by the court of law,” the Bangladesh government said.

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