Kolkata:

Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, a Hindu priest and a religious minority leader in Bangladesh, was arrested in Dhaka amid tensions over minority rights in the country that has seen widespread political violence since former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s ouster. 

The arrest follows protests led by the Hindu community in the city of Rangpur, located nearly 300 km north of Dhaka, demanding stronger legal protections and a ministry dedicated to minority affairs. 

“I just received the shocking news that Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, a Hindu monk & the face and leader of Bangladeshi minorities in these difficult times, has been arrested by the Dhaka police and taken to an undisclosed location. Kind attention,” wrote Radharamn Das, ISKCON spokesperson, tagging External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and the Indian High Commission in Dhaka.

I just received the shocking news that Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, a Hindu monk & the face and leader of Bangladeshi minorities in this difficult times, has been arrested by the Dhaka police and taken to an undisclosed location. Kind attention @ihcdhaka @DrSJaishankar… pic.twitter.com/J9MszoBUvy

— Radharamn Das राधारमण दास (@RadharamnDas) November 25, 2024

While the Bangladeshi authorities have not issued an official statement, reports suggest Brahmachari was detained at Dhaka airport earlier this week. His arrest comes after a sedition case was filed against him earlier this month, allegedly for his outspoken stance against violence targeting Hindus.

Hindus comprise approximately 8 per cent of Bangladesh’s 170 million people. Since the ouster of former PM Sheikh Hasina, the new military-backed interim government led by Mohammed Yunus has faced criticism for failing to curb a spike in violence against minorities.

In recent months, Hindu businesses, homes, and temples have been vandalised, with the unrest worsening since Sheikh Hasina’s departure.  Earlier this month, sedition charges were filed against 19 people who participated in a minority rights rally in Chittagong. 

BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari slammed the Yunus government in Bangladesh, adding that Chinmoy Brahmachari is leading a “fight for survival” of Hindu minorities.

“Renowned firebrand Hindu Leader; Shri Chinmoy Krishna Das Prabhu has been abducted by the Detective Branch at Dhaka Airport in Bangladesh. He is leading the fight for the survival & dignity of the Hindu Minorities of Bangladesh. The Bangladeshi Sanatani Community fear that Md Yunus’s ‘Radical’ Regime may stoop to any level, even eliminate ‘perceived threats’ to its authority. I urge 
@DrSJaishankar  Ji to kindly take note of the matter and take urgent steps,” Mr Adhikari posted on X.

Renowned firebrand Hindu Leader; Shri Chinmoy Krishna Das Prabhu has been abducted by the Detective Branch at Dhaka Airport in Bangladesh.
He is leading the fight for the survival & dignity of the Hindu Minorities of Bangladesh.

The Bangladeshi Sanatani Community fear that Md… pic.twitter.com/n5Bb6Zk2JM

— Suvendu Adhikari (@SuvenduWB) November 25, 2024

Kanchan Gupta, senior advisor to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, described the arrest as “a targeted move to stifle voices of protest.” 

“Hindu leader and ISKCON monk Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari is reported arrested in Dhaka by Yunus Regime Police. Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari was charged with sedition after he led a massive rally of Hindus protesting targeted hate attacks and demanding protection from Islamists. Tallest leader of the Hindu community, Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari is believed to have been taken to Detective Branch of Yunus Regime,” Mr Gupta wrote. 

Hindu leader and ISKCON monk Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari is reported arrested in Dhaka by Yunus Regime Police.
Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari was charged with sedition after he led a massive rally of Hindus protesting targeted hate attacks and demanding protection from…

— Kanchan Gupta (@KanchanGupta) November 25, 2024

The interim regime in Bangladesh had announced plans to unveil an election roadmap, promising reforms in the electoral system. However, critics remain sceptical of its commitment to democracy, especially as reports of targeted attacks against minorities continue to emerge.

During a speech, Mohammed Yunus pointed to the government’s security measures during Durga Puja, celebrated at over 32,000 venues nationwide, as evidence of its commitment to protecting minorities. Yet, activists argue these measures are inadequate.
 

Security force personnel stand guard as Hindu devotees arrived to offer prayers Durga Puja festival, outside a temple in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on October 11, 2024.
| Photo Credit: Reuters

Amid random vandalism during Durga Puja celebrations, police on Saturday (October 12, 2024) said it has planned extensive security measure for the Bijaya Dashami procession and idol immersion on Sunday.

Three control rooms have been set up on the route of the procession, three watchtowers have been installed, including at the Wiseghat where immersion will take place and a dog squad, a bomb disposal unit, crime scene team, and SWAT team will be on standby around the clock to ensure a festive and smooth celebration, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) said in release.

The five-day Hindu religious festival began with an invocation of Goddess Durga, an occasion called Maha Shasthi on Wednesday. The celebrations would conclude with the immersion of Goddess Durga murtis on Sunday.

Also read | Durga puja in Bangladesh is a test of Yunus’ pledge to protect Hindus

A crude bomb was allegedly thrown at a Durga Puja mandap in the Tanti Bazar area of Old Dhaka and although the bomb caught fire, nobody was injured, daily Prothom Alo said, adding, the incident took place on Friday night.

From October 1 onwards till Friday, 17 persons were arrested and about a dozen cases registered after Bangladesh witnessed about 35 untoward incidents related to the ongoing Durga Puja celebrations, The Dhaka Tribune said quoting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md Moinul Islam.

The Daily Star, quoting DMP release, said the proposed route for the immersion procession will begin at Dhakeshwari National Temple.

Earlier in the afternoon, apparently prompted by the latest attack on the Durga Puja mandap, Mohammed Yunus, the Chief Advisor to the interim government of Bangladesh, visited the Dhakeshwari National Temple, one of the prominent shakti peeths, in the old part of the city as against the earlier announced plan of a Sunday visit.

The Daily Star quoted Mr. Yunus as saying during a function at the Dhakeshwari temple that the government wants to build Bangladesh in such a way where each and every citizen’s right will be ensured.

“During the Durga Puja, law enforcement agencies have done the ‘tough’ task of ensuring public security with sincerity. However, it is a collective failure to seek law enforcement agencies’ support while celebrating an occasion,” Mr. Yunus said.

Two days ago, there was a theft of a golden crown from a famous Kali temple in southwest Bangladesh.

Also read | Minorities faced 205 attacks after fall of Sheikh Hasina government in Bangladesh: Hindu groups

Describing the incidents of vandalism as deplorable events and flagging that these follow a systematic pattern of desecration of temples and deities in Bangladesh, India call upon the government of Bangladesh to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and all minorities and their places of worship, especially during this auspicious festival time.

The minority Hindu population — Hindus constitute just about 8% of the 170 million Bangladesh population have faced regular vandalism of their businesses, and properties and destruction of temples during and since the student-led violence erupted resulting in the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5.

Members of the minority Hindu community hold a protest against violence on minority community in the country, outside Jamuna State Guest House, where Bangladesh interim govt chief Muhammad Yunus is residing, in Dhaka.
| Photo Credit: ANI

Bangladesh’s newly-appointed Home Affairs Ministry adviser has vowed to take swift legal action against those who attack or abuse minorities, stressing that there is no place for violence, conflict, or hatred in the country.

Brigadier General (retd) M. Sakhawat Hussain’s assurance came during a meeting with a delegation from the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) Bangladesh at his office in the Secretariat on Thursday, the Dhaka Tribune newspaper reported.

What lies ahead for Bangladesh? | In Focus podcast

Bangladesh saw a spike in violence against members of Hindu communities following the fall of the government led by Sheikh Hasina, who resigned and fled to India on August 5 following massive protests against her government over a controversial quota system in jobs.

Mr. Hussain emphasised that Bangladesh is a country of communal harmony, where people of all religions have grown up together without any divisions.

He said that no one would be spared if they attacked or abused minorities, and swift legal action would be taken.

He said that there is no place for violence, conflict, or hatred and that the country believes in peace.

During the meeting, Satyaranjan Baroi, president of ISKCON Bangladesh, requested the adviser to take priority measures for the safety of minorities and presented eight proposals for ensuring their safety, including enacting laws, establishing monitoring cells, forming a Minority Commission and providing continuous state security for temples.

The adviser assured his full support for these matters.

The Bangladesh National Hindu Grand Alliance said that the minority community faced attacks and threats in 278 locations across 48 districts since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led government on August 5 and termed it as an “assault on the Hindu religion.” Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus who is heading the interim government on Tuesday reached out to the distressed Hindu community and urged them to “exercise patience” and assured them that his government would punish those who attacked the minority members.

On Monday, Hossain’s ministry set up a hotline asking people to provide information about attacks on temples, churches or any other religious institutions.