The situation has notably strained New Delhi-Dhaka relations, with concerns mounting over the escalating violence and the potential for further communal tensions.
One key figure emerging at the centre of this controversy is Monk Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, a former member of the Gaudiya Vaishnav organisation Iskcon’s Bangladesh chapter, who was expelled in October for violating the group’s internal rules.
Das has been an outspoken critic of the persecution of religious minorities in Bangladesh, particularly Hindus.
The violence that erupted during protests over his arrest on sedition charges in October prompted a sharp response from the Indian government and triggered calls within Bangladesh for a ban on Iskcon, which the interim government in Dhaka has said it is taking seriously.
A rising voice for minority rights
Chinmoy Krishna Das hails from Satkania Upazila in Chittagong and became known for his religious speeches at an early age, earning the moniker “Shishu Bokta” or “child orator.” Between 2016 and 2022, he served as the Chittagong divisional secretary for Iskcon and was involved in various Hindu religious movements. He is currently a spokesperson for the Bangladesh Sammilito Sanatani Jagaran Jot, a body advocating for the rights of the Hindu minority in Bangladesh. Since the political upheaval that led to the ousting of Hasina’s Awami League government on August 5, which many believe paved the way for the rise of right-wing groups, Das has been campaigning against the rising tide of violence directed at Hindus and other minority communities in the country.
Arrest and sedition charges
In late October, Das was arrested on sedition charges after a rally in which he allegedly disrespected the Bangladeshi national flag. He was one of 19 people arrested for allegedly hoisting a saffron flag above Bangladesh’s national flag in Chittagong on October 25, leading to accusations of “desecration” and “contempt for the country’s sovereignty.”
The incident sparked public outcry, with a complainant, Md. Feroze Khan, claiming that the actions were part of a larger effort to destabilise the country by fostering an anarchic environment.
Das was arrested on November 25 at Dhaka airport while waiting to board a flight to Chittagong. His arrest followed his participation in a large rally in Rangpur on November 22, where he spoke out against the increasing attacks on Hindus.
The detention triggered protests among the Hindu community in Bangladesh, and on November 26, tensions flared in Chittagong, where communal violence erupted, leaving one person dead after the court denied Das bail.
Iskcon in the crosshairs
The violence in Chittagong prompted the interim government in Bangladesh to announce that it would investigate the incident and determine whether action should be taken.
Additionally, a lawyer in Bangladesh’s Supreme Court filed a petition seeking to ban Iskcon, alleging that the organisation is a “fundamentalist” group.
While Iskcon has vehemently rejected these claims, the petition has received significant backing from student organisations in Bangladesh, which have been vocal since their role in the political upheaval that ousted Sheikh Hasina’s government.
Despite the growing calls for a ban, Iskcon’s Bangladesh chapter has not been prohibited, with a Dhaka High Court rejecting the petition to shut it down on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, has called for a “fair and transparent” investigation into the charges against Das, suggesting the involvement of vested political interests.
Diplomatic fallout and international concerns
The arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das has become a flashpoint in the diplomatic relationship between India and Bangladesh, further complicating ties after the political upheaval in August. While New Delhi has expressed its “deep concern” over the treatment of minorities in Bangladesh, Dhaka has dismissed the issue as an “internal matter.”
Prominent Iskcon members, meanwhile, have called on both the Indian and Bangladeshi governments to intervene and ensure Das’s immediate release.
Radharamn Das, vice president of Iskcon, shared alarming reports on social media, describing violent attacks on Hindus in Chittagong and accusing the perpetrators of branding every Hindu as a supporter of Iskcon.
In a broader human rights context, the Rights & Risks Analysis Group (RRAG), a Delhi-based NGO, has filed a complaint with the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, alleging the illegal and arbitrary detention of one of Bangladesh’s most prominent Hindu religious figures.
The organiation argues that there is no evidence linking Das to the alleged flag desecration and that the true perpetrators have not been identified.
The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, a coalition of minority groups, has also denounced Das’s arrest and condemned the increasing violence against religious minorities.
A report by Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) highlighted a disturbing trend of communal violence in the country, noting that between August 5 and 20, over 2,000 incidents of violence were reported, resulting in the deaths of nine people from minority communities.
The rise in religious-based violence in Bangladesh is also drawing international attention. During the US elections, President-elect Donald Trump expressed concern over the growing violence against Hindus in Bangladesh, reflecting the global anxiety about the country’s shifting political and religious dynamics.
As tensions continue to simmer, the situation remains fluid, with both local and international actors closely watching the developments in Bangladesh, particularly as they pertain to the rights and safety of minority communities.
(With TOI inputs)
