WATCH: ISKCON Bangladesh Monk Chinmoy Das Calls For Peaceful Protests, 'Whatever Happens To Me...'
Chinmoy Das, head of ISKCON Bangladesh's Pundarik Dham, urged peaceful protests while being escorted to jail from the Chittagong Court. He appealed to his followers not to resort to violence.
Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, head of ISKCON Bangladesh's Pundarik Dham in Chittagong, appealed for peaceful protests while being escorted to jail from the Chittagong Court on Tuesday. A video shared by Pundarik Dham showed the seer urging his followers not to resort to violence. “Whatever happens to me, you don't stop the logical movement. But I will appeal for peaceful protests. Please do not resort to violence. We do not believe in violating the law and order of the country,” Chinmoy Das said in the video addressing his followers from a police van using a hand microphone.
On Tuesday, the court of Chattogram Sixth Metropolitan Magistrate Kazi Shariful Islam ordered Chinmoy Das to be sent to jail, rejecting his bail plea. The court's decision, announced at around 11:45 am, was met with protests from Chinmoy Das’s supporters, who chanted slogans on the court premises, according to BDNews24.com.
Bangladesh police arrested Chinmoy Das on Monday from the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport area in Dhaka. Rezaul Karim, spokesperson for the Police's Detective Branch, confirmed the arrest but provided no details regarding the charges.
The arrest follows a case filed on 30 October at Chattogram's Kotwali Police Station against 19 individuals, including Chinmoy Das. The complaint alleges that the group disrespected Bangladesh's national flag during a rally by the Hindu community in Chattogram's New Market area.
According to Dhaka Tribune, a sedition case was filed on 30 October at Kotwali Police Station against Chinmoy and 18 others. The case, lodged under sedition laws by Md Feroze Khan, alleges a saffron flag associated with the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) was hoisted over Bangladesh’s national flag during a rally at Chattogram’s New Market intersection on 25 October.
The rally at Laldighi Maidan, where the alleged incident occurred, was part of an advocacy campaign led by Chinmoy Krishna on behalf of Bangladesh’s Hindu community. The campaign included demands to end minority persecution in the country, as per Dhaka Tribune's report.
Chinmoy Krishna Das is a prominent leader of the Sammilita Sanatani Jote and the spokesperson of the Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatan Jagran Jote. His arrest and subsequent legal proceedings have drawn significant attention amidst ongoing tensions involving minority communities in Bangladesh.
India's Concerns Over Chinmoy Das's Arrest, Reported Attacks On Minority Protests
India has expressed "deep concern" over Chinmoy Das's arrest and the denial of his bail. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) urged Bangladesh to ensure the safety and security of its Hindu minority community.
"This incident follows the multiple attacks on Hindus and other minorities by extremist elements in Bangladesh," the MEA stated, citing documented cases of arson, looting, theft, and desecration of temples and deities.
The MEA criticised the legal action against Chinmoy Das, calling it "unfortunate" that while perpetrators of violence against minorities remain unpunished, charges are pressed against a religious leader advocating through peaceful gatherings.
India also flagged concerns over the reported attacks on minorities peacefully protesting against Chinmoy Das's arrest. “We urge Bangladesh authorities to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and all minorities, including their right to peaceful assembly and expression,” the statement added.
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