Outrage in India over monk’s arrest, atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh
Protests against attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh intensified on Monday.
After the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das, President of Pundarik Dham and a leading figure in the Hindu community. His arrest on sedition charges has sparked outrage in both Bangladesh and India, with political leaders and religious figures condemning the move and calling for his release.
Chinmoy Krishna Das was arrested while travelling from Dhaka to Chittagong by men in plain clothes who identified themselves as Bangladeshi police detectives.
According to ISKCON Vice President Radha Ramn Das, Chinmoy Krishna Das was “forcefully put into a van” without explanation. The arrest stems from allegations that he insulted the Bangladeshi flag during a protest in October, where a saffron flag was reportedly raised higher than the national flag.
Bangladeshi authorities have charged Chinmoy Krishna Das and 17 others with sedition. However, Radha Ramn Das rejected claims that a saffron flag was raised higher than the national flag in Bangladesh. Speaking to India Today TV, he said, “The flag incident was a misunderstanding. This arrest is an attempt to silence the face of minority protests in Bangladesh.”
The incident has intensified existing protests in Bangladesh, where Hindus and other minorities have been demanding protection amid a surge in violence. Over the past 100 days, minority communities have reported targeted attacks, kidnappings, and sexual violence against women.
“For months, minorities in Bangladesh have faced relentless violence,” said Radha Ramn Das.
“The government is trying to indict anyone who speaks up. This is not just an attack on Chinmoy Krishna Das but on the entire minority community.”
In India, the arrest has drawn sharp criticism, particularly in West Bengal, where the BJP staged protests outside the state Assembly. Suvendu Adhikari, Leader of the Opposition in West Bengal, warned that the party would escalate its agitation towards the India-Bangladesh border if Das was not released.