On Monday, Chinmoy Krishna Das, a member of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), was taken into custody at the airport in Dhaka on suspicion of sedition. His supporters have protested his arrest in large numbers, with many expressing disapproval of the way the nation treats Hindus and other religious minorities.
Charges On Chinmoy Das
Charges have been brought against Das for his involvement in planning a gathering in Chittagong in October during which he allegedly disregarded Bangladesh’s flag. He was immediately sent back to prison as the demonstration descended into violence and the Chittagong court refused to grant him bail on Tuesday. Over 2,000 of Das’s fans surrounded the police van and blocked it for more than two hours while he was being led back to jail.
Police Commissioner Hasib Aziz of Chittagong Metropolitan Police said that the demonstrators “went on a rampage” and that the scene was chaotic. “They lost control and started hurling bricks at us. We had to use tear gas to scatter the crowd. “One of our constables was hurt, but no one was seriously hurt,” Aziz told Reuters.
India, a neighbor, has taken notice of the arrest and the protests that followed, expressing serious concerns about the safety and security of Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh.
Indian Govt Calls For Safety
India called on Bangladeshi authorities to protect Hindus and all other minorities on Tuesday.
The Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement that “this incident follows the multiple attacks on Hindus and other minorities by extremist elements in Bangladesh.”
In Bangladesh, there are “several documented cases” of theft, vandalism, and desecration of temples and deities, as well as fire and looting of the homes and businesses of minorities. “It is unfortunate that while the perpetrators of these incidents remain at large, charges should be pressed against a religious leader presenting legitimate demands through peaceful gatherings,” stated the statement.
Since Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League administration fell on August 5, more than 200 attacks have been carried out in 50 different districts against Bangladesh’s minority Hindu population, which makes up only 8% of the country’s 170 million inhabitants.
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