Bangladesh police officers take Chinmoy Prabhu to court.
A Dhaka court has rejected a demand to ban ISKCON in Bangladesh. During a court hearing on Thursday, Bangladesh's interim government said that it has taken necessary action against ISKCON's activities. This issue is a priority of the government.
The government said that so far 3 cases have been registered and 33 people have been arrested in the ISKCON case. Army has been deployed to prevent any kind of unrest in the country. During the hearing, the petitioner's lawyer said that this is the right time to ban ISKCON. On that, the court said that this will be decided by the government.
In fact, after the arrest of ISKCON temple president Chinmoy Krishna Das Prabhu in a sedition case, the controversy surrounding the organization is on the rise. After Das was jailed, there was violence in many places in Bangladesh. In addition, this has also soured the relationship between the Government of Bangladesh and India.
On November 26, lawyer Saiful Islam was killed in Chittagong in the violence that broke out after the ISKCON chief was denied bail. After this, on November 27, a petition was filed in the Bangladesh High Court seeking a ban on ISKCON.
The petitioner's lawyer told the court that ISKCON people are behind Saiful's death. In such a situation this organization should be banned. The petition also demanded declaration of emergency in Chittagong. On this petition, the Attorney General of Bangladesh, Muhammad Asaduzman, called ISKCON a religious fundamentalist organization.
Bangladesh Police was taking Chinmoy Prabhu to the Chittagong Metropolitan Magistrate Court on Tuesday.
Chinmay Prabhu formed the Bangladesh Sanatan Jagran Manch for the protection of Hindus
Chinmaya Krishna Das Brahmachari's real name is Chandan Kumar Dhar. He is the head of Chittagong ISKCON. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left the country on August 5, 2024 amid the ongoing violence in Bangladesh. This was followed by large-scale violence against Hindus.
After this, the Sanatan Jagran Manch was formed to protect the interests of Bangladeshi Hindus and minorities. Chinmay Prabhu became its spokesman. Through the Sanatan Jagran Manch, Chinmay addressed several rallies in Chittagong and Rangpur. Thousands of people participated in it.
Why was Chinmay Prabhu arrested?
On October 25, Sanatan Jagran Manch held a rally at Laldighi Ground in Chittagong with 8 point demands. In which Chinmay Krishna Das gave a speech. Meanwhile, some people hoisted the saffron flag on the Azadi Pillar in New Market Chowk. This flag had 'Aami Sanatani' written on it.
After the rally, on October 31, Feroze Khan, the leader of Begum Khaleda's BNP party, filed a sedition case against 19 people, including Chinmoy Krishna Das, in Chittagong. He is accused of insulting the national flag.
How was Chinmay Prabhu arrested?
Bangladesh Police arrested Chinmay Krishna Das Brahmachari from Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Monday. He was going to Chittagong. ISKCON members present at the scene said that the DB police did not show any arrest warrant. They just said they wanted to talk. After this they put him in a microbus and took him away.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police's Detective Branch (DB) Additional Commissioner of Police Rezaul Karim Malik said Chinmoy Krishna Das was arrested following a police request. Chinmoy Das will be handed over to the concerned police station for legal proceedings
Bangladesh ISKCON cleric walks out of court after bail plea rejected
Violence broke out after Chinmoy Prabhu's bail plea was rejected Chinmoy Prabhu was produced in court on November 26 in a sedition case registered at Kotwali police station in Chittagong. The court rejected Chinmoy Prabhu's bail plea and sent him to jail. After this, violence broke out in the court premises. Advocate Saiful lost his life in this violence.
Since then, the police in Chittagong have been making arrests continuously. Late on Wednesday night, 30 people were arrested from the Hindu-dominated Hazarilane and Kotwali areas. 6 of them are accused of murdering a lawyer, while the rest are accused of vandalism and inciting violence. There is an atmosphere of fear in the Hindu colonies.
The picture is of deceased lawyer Saiful.
What is India's stand on the arrest of Chinmoy Prabhu?
India expressed its displeasure over the arrest of Chinmoy Prabhu. India's Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement on Tuesday that it is concerned by the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das. The Ministry of External Affairs said that it is unfortunate that criminals roam freely, but cases are pending against religious leaders who raise legitimate demands through peaceful meetings.
Important points of India's statement on the arrest of Chinmoy Prabhu…
- There are many cases of arson and looting of minority homes and shops, desecration of deities and temples in Bangladesh.
- We also express concern over the attacks on minorities peacefully protesting the arrest of Das.
- Bangladesh authorities should protect Hindus and all minorities, give them the right to freedom of expression.
Bangladesh also responded, saying the facts were misrepresented
Bangladesh has also reacted to the statement released by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs regarding the arrest of ISKCON chaplain Chinmoy Krishna Das Prabhu in Bangladesh. “It is very sad that the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das has been misrepresented by some,” Bangladesh's foreign ministry said on Tuesday.
The ministry said such statements not only misrepresent the facts but are also against the spirit of friendship and mutual understanding between the two neighboring countries. The Government of Bangladesh would like to reiterate that the Judiciary of the country is completely independent and the Government does not interfere in their functioning.
Image Credit: (Divya-Bhaskar): Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).
