India Condemns Arrest of Hindu Priest Chinmoy Krishna Das in Bangladesh

India has expressed deep concern over the arrest of Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das in Bangladesh, calling for his immediate release and urging the authorities to ensure the safety and security of religious minorities in the country.

In a formal statement issued on Tuesday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) condemned the detention of Shri Chinmoy Krishna Das, who also serves as the spokesperson for the Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatan Jagran Jote. The MEA noted that the arrest occurred despite the priest’s involvement in peaceful religious and cultural advocacy, a position which was reportedly misrepresented as grounds for his detention.

The Ministry also highlighted the growing concerns regarding the safety of Hindus and other religious minorities in Bangladesh, pointing to an alarming series of attacks against them. These attacks, the MEA said, have included arson, looting, theft, vandalism, and the desecration of temples and deities, often perpetrated by extremist elements. "It is particularly troubling," the statement read, "that while the perpetrators of these heinous acts remain unpunished, religious leaders like Shri Das, who advocate for peaceful assembly and expression, are targeted and detained."

The statement also underscored the escalating tension in the country, with reports of further attacks on minorities who have been protesting the arrest of Das. The MEA urged the Bangladesh authorities to uphold the rights of all citizens, including their right to peaceful assembly and expression, as guaranteed by international human rights norms.

Bangladesh Court Denies Bail to Hindu Priest

The legal troubles for Chinmoy Krishna Das deepened on Tuesday when a court in Chattogram rejected his bail plea, ordering him to remain in jail. The ruling came from the Chattogram Sixth Metropolitan Magistrate, Kazi Shariful Islam, following a brief court appearance in the morning.

The arrest took place on Monday, when Das was detained at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport by police acting on a request from the Detective Branch. While the police have not disclosed the specific charges against him, the arrest follows a case filed on October 30, accusing Das and 18 others of disrespecting Bangladesh's national flag during a Hindu rally in Chattogram’s New Market area.

In the wake of the ruling, supporters of Krishna Das gathered outside the court, chanting slogans in protest of the decision. The situation remains tense, with growing concerns about the broader implications for religious freedoms and minority rights in Bangladesh.

India has called on Bangladesh to ensure a fair and transparent legal process and to safeguard the fundamental rights of its minority communities. The Ministry reiterated that religious freedom, the right to peaceful protest, and the protection of religious leaders are fundamental principles that should be respected by all nations.4o mini