Activists of Hindu Jagaran Mancha participate in a rally to protest over arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das by the Bangladesh police, in Kolkata, West Bengal, on November 28, 2024.
| Photo Credit: PTI

A case was lodged on Sunday (December 8, 2024) over a clash between police and followers of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das on the court premises in Chittagong, according to a media report.

The Dhaka Tribune newspaper said the case names the Hindu leader, arrested on a charge of sedition, as the prime accused, along with 164 identified individuals and 400 to 500 unidentified people.

Also read | No lawyer to represent arrested Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das in Bangladesh; bail hearing postponed to January 2

The complaint was filed by Enamul Haque, a businessman and activist of Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh, in the court of Chittagong Metropolitan Magistrate Md Abu Bakar Siddique.

Mr. Haque in his complaint alleged that he was attacked by followers of Chinmoy Krishna Das while returning home after completing land registry work at the court on November 26.

The businessman claimed that he was targeted for wearing a ‘panjabi’, a kurta, and a cap, which resulted in injuries to his right hand and head.

He was rescued by bystanders and admitted to Chittagong Medical College Hospital, the newspaper said. Mr. Haque also said that his delay in filing the case was due to his prolonged illness from the attack.

“Haque was assaulted on November 26 on the court premises by followers of Chinmoy Krishna. His right hand was fractured, and he sustained head injuries. The case names 164 individuals, with Chinmoy Krishna as the principal accused,” his lawyer is quoted as saying.

The incident follows several clashes linked to the imprisonment of Chinmoy Krishna, spokesperson of the Bangladesh Sommilito Sanatani Jagaran Jote.

Previously on November 27, police filed three related cases at Kotwali police station, naming numerous individuals and hundreds of unidentified persons for obstruction and attacks on law enforcement.

Also read | ISKCON Bangladesh denounces arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das, calls for peaceful coexistence

Separately, another case was filed by a businessman on Tuesday, alleging assault by a group near Rangam Cinema Hall on November 26.

The complaint named 29 individuals, including members of political organisations and ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness), alongside 40 to 50 unidentified persons, the report said.

The relations between India and Bangladesh came under strain after the interim government headed by Muhammad Yunus came to power after deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina fled the country on August 5 following a student-led protest.

The relations deteriorated further in recent weeks over continued attacks on Hindus and especially after the arrest of the Hindu monk, a former member of ISKCON Bangladesh.

Das’ arrest in a sedition case on November 25 from Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport had triggered demonstrations by supporters of the monk.

An assistant government prosecutor, Saiful Islam Alif, was killed during a protest in Chattogram after the monk was denied bail on November 26.

On December 3, a Bangladesh court deferred to January 2 hearing on the bail petition of Chinmoy Krishna on a government plea as no lawyer appeared on his behalf.

The story so far: The Dhaka Metropolitan Police on Monday (November 25, 2024) arrested Chinmoy Krishna Das, a Vaishnavite leader and one-time member of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in Bangladesh, prompting protests demandng his release in Dhaka’s Shahbag neighbourhood and Chittagong, where he is based.

Clashes have since intensified. On November 26, assistant public prosecutor Saiful Islam, the lawyer of Chinmoy Krishna Das, was killed during clashes between the security personnel and followers of the Hindu leader, who was denied bail and sent to jail by a Chittagong court, police said. Based on CCTV footage of the violence, authorities have reportedly arrested at least six people belonging to the Chhatra League, the student wing of the Awami League which was banned by the government in October.

The same day, a war of words broke out between India and Bangladesh after the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) termed the arrest and denial of bail for Mr. Das as “unfortunate” and expressed “deep concern” over incidents targeting minority communities in Bangladesh. The MEA’s statement called upon the interim government of Bangladesh to “ensure safety and security of Hindus and all minorities.”

Bangladesh responded to MEA’s statement by alleging that it misrepresented facts and was “contrary” to the friendly ties between the two neighbours.

Who is Chinmoy Krishna Das?

Chinmoy Krishna Das, also known as Chandan Kumar Dhar, is a monk leading the Pundarik Dham in Chittagong/Chattogram, a key centre for Vaishnavites in Bangladesh. He is also the spokesperson for Bangladesh Sammilita Sanatani Jagran Jote, a Sanatani organisation. Mr. Das was a member of ISKCON till recently, when he was expelled.

Mr. Das, who has a considerable following in Bangladesh, has regularly advocated for the rights of religious minorities, and has garnered particular attention after the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government on August 5, 2024. Since then, Mr. Das has engaged in dialogue with various political parties, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), urging communal harmony. In a press conference held earlier this month, Mr. Das alleged that the interim government under Nobel Peace Prize laureate Prof. Mohammad Yunus had failed to stop at least 3,000 attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh.

Mr. Das has advocated for the implementation of an eight-point list of demands for Hindus in Bangladesh. These include the stablishment of a special tribunal for swift trials in cases of minority persecution, enactment of a minority protection law, the creation of a Ministry for Minority Affairs, laws to recover and protect temple properties and enforcement of the Vested Property Act, prayer rooms in educational institutions, modernization of Sanskrit and Pali Education Boards and a five-day public holiday for Durga Puja, an important festival for Bengali Hindus.

Pundarik Dham is also an important part of ISKCON in Bangladesh, where the society has a significant presence. While its headquarters are located in Gandaria, Dhaka, it has temples across the country— in Dhaka, Mymensingh, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet. Every year, it organises celebrations for festivals important in the Vaishnavite tradition, such as Janmashtami and the Kheturi festival.

ISKCON has historically been the subject to several controversies, including charges of misogyny, sexual abuse and harrasment, racketeering, and in one instance- a murder plot. It has faced criticism for more minor infractions too. Recently, Amogh Lila Das, an ISKCON leader in India came under fire for his comments against Swami Vivekananda and Ramkrishna Paramahamsa.

The Bangladesh arrest is a rare instance, however, where anyone associated with the organisation has been arrested on charges of sedition.

Why was Mr. Das arrested?

According to the Dhaka Police, Mr. Das had been arrested after Firoz Khan, a former BNP leader from Chittagong, filed a complaint against him, alleging that he and a few others had insulted Bangladesh’s national flag during a October 25 rally by the Hindu community in Chittagong. Mr. Khan was later expelled from the BNP, reportedly for alleged anti-party activities.

Along with Mr. Das, 18 others are mentioned in the complaint. Two others had been arrested earlier, while Mr. Das was arrested on Monday afternoon as he arrived at Dhaka’s Shah Jalal International Airport, on his way to Chittagong, as per reports from The Daily Star. “From his personal assistant, I found out that some plainclothes men, introducing themselves as members of the detective branch, picked him up from the entrance of the airport,” the report noted.

Following his arrest, protests erupted in another cities in Bangladesh as well, including Chittagong.

Meanwhile, the High Court in Bangladesh admitted a petition calling for a ban on ISKCON in the country. Student leaders in Bangladesh, who form an important block of support for the interim government, also called for an immediate ban. “ISKCON is acting as an agent of the Awami League, attempting to destabilise the country,” student coordinator Hasnat Abdullah said.

Response from ISKCON and other organisations

Mr. Das was recently expelled from ISKCON Bangladesh. Post his arrest, the society released a statement in support of Mr. Das and urged the government to promote peace between the communities, saying that as a “leading Sanatani organisation within the Gaudiya Vaishnav tradition” the society was dedicated to “safeguarding the religious freedoms and rights of minorities, including Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, and others.”

“We express our serious concern and strongly denounce the recent arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das, spokesperson for the Bangladesh Sammilito Sanatani Jagaran Jot. We also condemn the subsequent violence and attacks against Sanatanis in various regions of Bangladesh. We urge the government authorities to promote peaceful coexistence for the Sanatani community”, the statement read.

It further noted: “As a representative of the Bangladesh Sammilito Sanatani Jagaran Jot and a Bangladeshi citizen, Chinmoy Krishna Das has been a vocal advocate for the protection of minority groups in the nation. It is essential to uphold his right to free speech and to support his efforts to encourage others to defend this right. Ensuring justice and fair treatment for him is crucial.”

It enumerated three demands to the government and relevant authorities, which include holding those responsible for the attacks on the Sanatani community accountable, protecting the civil rights of Chinmoy Krishna Das and other Sanatanis and implementing effective measures to maintain harmony among all communities. “Chinmoy Krishna Das and the Sanatani community deserve justice as citizens of this country, and we stress that any form of discrimination against them must not be tolerated”, it stressed, noting that it has “consistently urged the interim government and other leaders to ensure constitutional protections for minorities and to facilitate their full and unrestricted participation in society.”

Meanwhile, ISKCON Kolkata on November 27 said that it has spoken to the Centre about repeated targetting of their monks and other Hindu Vaishnavites in Bangladesh. ISKCON Kolkata spokesperson Radharaman Das called the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das the latest example of the continuing attacks on ISKCON members as well as other minority communities in Bangladesh.

“The arrest and mounting threats by Islamists against ISKCON and other Hindu religious orders like Ramakrishna Mission had been going on for the past three months and Das’s arrest was the last instance as of now. The situation is alarming and we have urged the Ministry of External Affairs and the Union Home Ministry to take appropriate steps to save and protect the lives and properties of people under such attacks,” he said.

Politicians in India have also urged the government to ensure the safety of Hindus and minorities in the neigbouring country. Newly elected Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi called on the Government of India to “intervene” and ensure safety and security for the minority community in Bangladesh.

Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, expressed concern as well. But she stressed that she preferred to not comment on the matter as it pertained to another nation, and said that her government would abide by the Centre’s decision in the matter. She has reportedly spoken to ISKCON representatives about the issue, but did not share any further information.

What are the claims surrounding anti-Hindu protests in Bangladesh?

After the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government in Bangladesh and her flight from the country on August 5, 2024, there were multiple instances of supporters of her party, Awami League. being targeted by protestors. Many Hindus in Bangladesh have reportedly supported the Awami League as well. While there is no clarity on whether the protests have been expressly anti-Hindu, Hindus in Bangladesh have held rallies to demand protection. For example, about 30,000 Hindus rallied on November 1, 2024 in Chittagong to demand that the interim government protect them from attacks and harassment and drop sedition cases against Hindu community leaders. Similar protests were reported in other regions of the nation.

Rallies have also been held by Hindu outfits in India to protest alleged atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh . On August 16, BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj and JNU Vice Chancellor Santishree D. Pandit took part in a march protesting the issue organised under the banner of Nari Shakti forum, which is allied with RSS.

Meanwhile, Prof. Yunus, the leader of the interim government, has said that the issue of attacks on minority Hindus in Bangladesh was “exaggerated,” noting that the attacks on minorites in Bangladesh was more a political issue than a communal one.

Hindus are a minority in Bangladesh, comprising 8% of the total population. 91% of the country’s population are Muslims..

Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus signs a document after taking the oath of office as the head of Bangladesh’s interim government, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Aug. 8, 2024.
| Photo Credit: AP

Amid concerns of possible unrest during Durga puja, Bangladesh’s interim government on Sunday (September 8, 2024) warned potential troublemakers, pledging tough action against those disrupting communal harmony or targeting places of worship during the Hindu festival.

Durga puja will be celebrated from October 9 to 13.

“If anyone disrupts or harasses people at worship halls, we will not spare them. We will bring them under the law and ensure peace,” Religious Affairs Adviser Dr AFM Khalid Hossain said during a visit to the Prematli Gaurang Bari Kalimandir in Godagari at Rajshahi district.

He urged members of the Hindu community to celebrate their festivals with enthusiasm and religious fervour and assured them that no one would be allowed to harm their temples, The Dhaka Tribune newspaper reported.

“If you fear attacks on your temples, be assured that no criminals will succeed. We have engaged local people, including madrasa students, to take turns guarding the temples. No one will stop us from celebrating our religious festivals,” Hossain said, asserting that the interim government wants to transform Bangladesh into a state free of discrimination and sectarianism.

The minority Hindu population faced vandalism of their businesses and properties, and destruction of temples, during the student-led violence that erupted following the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. After unprecedented anti-government protests that peaked on August 5, Hasina resigned as prime minister and fled to India.

On Saturday at Rajshahi Circuit House, Hossain met with government officials and warned that miscreants might attempt to disrupt communal harmony ahead of Durga puja.

“We must collectively resist such efforts,” he said, suggesting that madrasa students could be engaged as volunteers to help safeguard temples during the festival.

The adviser also instructed law enforcement and the administration to take measures to secure puja mandaps.

Last month, thousands of Hindus staged protest rallies in Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka and the northeastern port city of Chattogram, demanding protection.

The Bangladesh National Hindu Grand Alliance in August said the minority Hindu community faced attacks and threats in 278 locations across 48 districts since the fall of the Hasina-led government and termed it as an “assault on the Hindu religion”.

Hindus, who made up 22% of Bangladesh’s population at the time of the 1971 Liberation War, now constitute about 8% of 170 million.

Nari Shakti Forum members take part in a protest over violence against minorities in Bangladesh, from Mandi House to Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on August 16, 2024.
| Photo Credit: PTI

BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) Vice Chancellor Santishree D. Pandit on Friday (August 16) participated in a march organised under the banner of Nari Shakti forum, a Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS)-backed organisation, in Delhi to protest the violence against Hindus in Bangladesh following the ouster of the Sheikh Hasina government.

Speaking at the event, Ms. Swaraj said that the situation in Bangladesh, a result of political instability, was extremely worrisome and the biggest victim of this instability was the Hindu community.

“Women are being raped and men are being tortured. Our religious places are also being vandalised. Through today’s protest march, we want to tell the Bangladeshi Hindus and other minorities that we stand with them and they are not alone in this,” she said.

Hundreds of women, who participated in the protest march, walked from Mandi House to Jantar Mantar with banners and placards and demanded that violence against minorities in Bangladesh be stopped. Some protesters covered their mouths with black bands.

The protest drew a huge crowd that police had to place traffic restrictions and diversions to manage the march.

Bangladesh is witnessing political instability following the ouster of the Sheikh Hasina government over anti-quota protests. There have been reports of targeted attacks on the Hindu community, a minority in Bangladesh.

The Bangladesh National Hindu Grand Alliance, a non-political Hindu religious organisation, has claimed that the minority community has faced attacks and threats in 278 locations across 48 districts since August 5.

Concerned with the attack on Hindus, the Sangh Parivar and its affiliates have approached the Central government, asking them to take appropriate steps to help the Bangladeshi Hindus.

London:

A large crowd gathered outside the Houses of Parliament in London on Saturday to protest the alleged violence against minority Hindus and other groups in Bangladesh following the resignation and departure of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina earlier this week.

Protesters carried Bangladeshi flags and held posters with messages such as “Protect our temples in Bangladesh,” “Hindu lives matter,” and “We want justice.”

They chanted slogans demanding peace and equality amidst the recent surge in violence.

The demonstration included activists from various human rights organizations, members of the Bangladeshi diaspora, and Indian-American Hindu allies standing in solidarity with Bangladesh’s Hindu community.

Unadi, a protester from Bangladesh, expressed concern over the helplessness of Bangladeshi Hindus, saying that the majority population prevents them from speaking out against injustices.

“Our country became independent in 1971 so that all communities could live peacefully. But now, we are suffering from atrocities committed by the majority community,” Unadi said.

He compared the situation in Bangladesh to other countries, noting that while governments around the world protect their minorities, the opposite is true in Bangladesh, forcing many to flee the country.

“The mentality of the people has to change so that we can live peacefully. In modern times like these, all communities must learn to coexist peacefully. We are all equals,” he added.

A protester from the Bengali Christian Association in the UK highlighted the need for equal treatment of all communities.

“I demand the interim government to amend the constitution, as it currently states that Bangladesh is a Muslim country. However, all communities fought for Bangladesh’s independence, so the country belongs to everyone,” she said.

Another protester pointed out that Bangladeshi minorities are being forced to flee due to ongoing atrocities by the majority community.

“We are gathered here because, for the past five to six days, people in Bangladesh have been torturing and burning our houses. They cannot take our country from us, and they cannot deport us. We want to live safely and peacefully in our country. The violence against minorities must stop,” he said.

Another protester shared that his home in Bangladesh had been looted and set on fire just days ago.

“My house was burned. A few days ago, many people looted our house,” he said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)