ISKCON Says 2 More Seers Arrested In Bangladesh, Its Centre Vandalised; 3 Hindu Temples Attacked In Chattogram

ISKCON member Shyam Das Prabhu was arrested in Chattogram, Bangladesh, the organisation's Kolkata unit said. This comes as tensions have been rising in Bangladesh, with reported attacks on Hindu temples.

Shyam Das Prabhu, a Hindu priest and member of ISKCON, was arrested in Chattogram, Bangladesh, on Saturday, just days after the detention of spiritual leader Chinmoy Krishna Das, the organisation stated. Shyam Das Prabhu was reportedly taken into custody without an official warrant while visiting Chinmoy Krishna Das in jail. 

Speaking to news agency PTI, Radharamn Das, Vice-President and spokesperson for ISKCON Kolkata said, "I have received information that two more ISKCON monks have been arrested by police in Bangladesh."  

Radharamn Das earlier shared the news on X (formerly Twitter), writing: “Another Brahmachari Sri Shyam Das Prabhu was arrested by Chattogram Police today.”

He added that another ISKCON centre in Bhairav, Bangladesh, had been vandalised, expressing concern that "No respite in sight."

Chinmoy Krishna Das, a former member of ISKCON Bangladesh, was arrested earlier this week on sedition charges and denied bail on Tuesday. Although ISKCON clarified that Chinmoy no longer represents the organisation in Bangladesh, it has emphasised its support for his rights to peacefully advocate for the protection of Hindus and their places of worship. Chinmoy Krishna Das had been expelled from ISKCON in September this year, officials said. 

In response to Chinmoy’s arrest, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Friday commented: “While we know that the case moves on, legal processes are underway, it is our expectation that he will get a fair and transparent trial and that his legal rights will be respected.”

Bangladesh Violence: 3 Hindu Temples Attacked In Chattogram

Meanwhile, three Hindu temples in Chattogram were vandalised by a mob on Friday afternoon, following ongoing protests and violence since Chinmoy’s arrest. The attack took place around 2:30 pm at the Harish Chandra Munsef Lane, targeting the Shantaneshwari Matri Temple, the nearby Shoni Temple, and the Shantaneshwari Kalibari Temple. A group of several hundred people, shouting slogans, threw brickbats at the temples, causing damage to the Shoni Temple and the gates of the other two temples. 

According to BDNews24.com, Kotwali Police Station chief Abdul Karim confirmed the incident, stating that the assailants attempted to damage the temples but were confronted by the temple authorities. Police said the damage was minimal after a confrontation, where both sides exchanged brickbats. Tapan Das, a permanent member of the Shantaneshwari Main Temple management committee, explained: "A procession of hundreds arrived after the Juma prayers. They started shouting anti-Hindu and anti-ISKCON slogans." He added, “We did not obstruct the attackers. When the situation worsened, we called the army, who arrived quickly and helped restore order.”

The arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das and the subsequent violence has sparked protests by members of the Hindu community across Bangladesh, including in Dhaka and Chattogram. On October 30, a sedition case was filed against 19 people, including Chinmoy, accusing them of disrespecting Bangladesh's national flag during a Hindu rally in Chattogram’s New Market area. 

On Friday, India expressed concern over the arrest and the safety of Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar told Parliament that India had taken serious note of the violence against minorities and urged Dhaka to take responsibility for protecting all citizens, including minorities.