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Chinmoy Krishna Das

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Chinmoy Krishna Das
চিন্ময় কৃষ্ণ দাস
Born
Chandan Kumar Dhar[1][2]
OccupationHindu monk
Organization(s)Bangladesh Sanatan Jagaran Mancha
International Society for Krishna Consciousness (expelled)
Known forSpokesperson of Bangladesh Sanatan Jagaran Mancha
Criminal chargeSedition
Capture status
In prison

Chinmoy Krishna Das (Bengali: চিন্ময় কৃষ্ণ দাস) is a Bangladeshi Hindu monk and community leader who is the spokesperson of Bangladesh Sanatan Jagaran Mancha. On 25 November 2024, he was arrested on sedition charges, leading to violent protests by his followers and diplomatic reactions from India.[3][4][5][6][7][8][9][excessive citations] A former member of ISKCON Bangladesh, he was expelled from the organisation following accusations of child sexual abuse and other disciplinary issues.[10][11][12][13]

Life and occupation

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Chinmoy Krishna Das is a Hindu monk, who heads the Pundarik Dham, a Vaishnavite religious centre in Hathazari, Chittagong District. The Dham is also an important part of ISKCON in Bangladesh.[13] Das was a member of ISKCON till July 2024, when he was expelled on the grounds of organisational discipline.[14]

Das had regularly advocated for the rights of religious minorities in Bangladesh, and garnered increasing attention after the fall of Sheikh Hasina administration on 5 August 2024.[13] He served as the spokesperson for Bangladesh Sanatan Jagaran Mancha, which campaigned for the rights of Hindus and other religious minorities.[15]

On 25 October, the Sanatan Jagaran Mancha held a massive rally at Lal Dighi, Chittagong and issued eight demands.[16][17] These include the establishment of special tribunals for speedy trials of minority persecution, the enactment of a minority protection law, the creation of a Ministry of Minority Affairs, laws to recover temple properties etc.[13][15]

Around this time, Sanatan Jagaran Mancha formed a coalition with Bangladesh Sommilito Shankhalogu Jot, to form Bangladesh Sommilito Sanatan Jagaran Jot. Das also served as the spokesperson for the united organisation.[15]

Sedition case

[edit]
See also: Murder of Saiful Islam Alif

During the 25 October rally, it is alleged that some youth raised the ISKCON's saffron flag on the Independence Monument at the New Market intersection in Chittagong. It is further alleged that this flag was over the national flag of Bangladesh and thus amounted to sedition.[18][19]

A local leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) named Firoz Khan registered a case of sedition against 19 people, including Das. The others included Ajay Datta, coordinator of Hindu Jagaran Mancha (a separate organisation) and Leela Raj Das, chief priest of ISKCON Chittagong Temple. Firoz Khan was soon expelled from BNP for filing the case without informing the party, as per Dhaka Tribune. The expulsion letter cited involvement in "activities contrary to the party's principles".[18] Hindu Jagaran Mancha leaders staged protest demanding the withdrawal of the case.[18]

On 25 November 2024, Das was arrested by Dhaka Metropolitan Police at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka. He was charged with sedition for disrespecting the national flag.[20][21] He was presented before the Chattogram Sixth Metropolitan Magistrate's Court on 26 November 2024, where Magistrate Kazi Shariful Islam rejected his bail application and ordered detention.[22] His lawyers requested that he be allowed to follow religious practices while in custody, to which the court instructed compliance with prison regulations.[23][24]

Following his bail being rejected, his followers protested in front of the court building, which became violent after clashing with the law enforcing forces. During the violence, a lawyer[25] named Saiful Islam Alif was hacked to death by some individual.[26][27] His death resulted nationwide counter protests by the lawyers and other organisations demainding a ban on ISKCON. Lawyers at Chittagong court boycotted the judicial proceedings on the next day.[28] Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus denounced the killing and urged for proper inquiry of the incident.[28][29]

On 3 December, the bail plea hearing was postponed further to 2 January 2025 as no lawyer came on his behalf.[30] No lawyer turned up to the hearing due to fears of threat and pressure from "politically motivated lawyers group".[31][32]

Reactions

[edit]
Domestic
  • ISKCON Bangladesh denounced the arrest of Das and condemned the subsequent violence and attacks on Hindus. It urged the government to promote peace between communities.[13]
International
See also: 2024 attack on the Bangladeshi Assistant High Commission in India
  • ISKCON Kolkata called the arrest of Das the "latest example of continuing attacks" on ISKCON members and members of minority communities in Bangladesh. It claimed to have alerted the Indian government.[13]
  • The Indian Ministry of External Affairs expressed concern over his arrest and urged the Bangladeshi government to ensure the safety and protection of minority communities, emphasizing their right to peaceful assembly.[33][21] Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a counter-statement regarding India's concern over the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das. The statement expressed regret over the misrepresentation of the issue as an internal matter of Bangladesh and emphasized that such comments undermine the spirit of friendship between the two nations. It highlighted that the judiciary of Bangladesh is independent, and the case involving Das is currently under judicial consideration, with no interference from the government. The statement reaffirmed Bangladesh's commitment to protecting the rights of all citizens, including religious minorities, and ensuring their freedom of expression and worship.[34][35][36][37][38]
  • The United Kingdom Parliament members expressed concerns regarding the arrest of Das and the recent violence targeting the Hindu minority in Bangladesh. During an urgent discussion in the House of Commons, Conservative MP Priti Patel highlighted the spread of violence in Bangladesh and called for action to secure Das's release. Labour MP Barry Gardiner also drew attention to attacks on Hindu temples and described the situation as being "on a knife edge".[39][40][41] Catherine West, the Under-Secretary of State for Indo-Pacific, assured Parliament of the UK government's commitment to advocating for religious freedom in Bangladesh and emphasised continued monitoring of developments by the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) and affirmed the UK's support for the protection of minorities.[42]
Individuals
  • Founder of Isha Foundation Sadhguru condemned the arrest of Das expressing concern over the Bangladesh's drift from democratic to autocratic tendencies. He emphasized the importance of protecting religious freedom and upholding democratic values, warning against persecution based on religion or demographics.[43]
  • Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Pawan Kalyan condemned the arrest urging unity against atrocities on Hindus and calling on the Bangladeshi government to take immediate action.[44]
  • Exiled former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina condemned the arrest and said he was "unjustly arrested and must be released immediately".[45]
  • British Conservative MP Bob Blackman condemned the persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh, specifically highlighting the imprisonment of Das. He stated, "Today, I condemned the attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh and the imprisonment of Chinmoy Krishna Das."[46]
  • American actress and singer Mary Millben condemned the imprisonment of Das and the ongoing attacks against Hindus. She urged world leaders to address the issue, highlighting the need for global attention on religious persecution.[47][48]
  • Delhi's former Chief Minister and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal criticised the arrest of Das urging the central government to intervene for his release. Kejriwal stated, "The entire nation stands in solidarity with Saint Chinmoy Krishna Das ji."[49][50]
  • Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi expressed concern over the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das, describing the incident as "extremely worrying." She urged the government to take steps to ensure the safety and security of minorities in Bangladesh.[49][51]

Controversies

[edit]

Das faced accusations of orchestrating programmes aimed at creating communal unrest. Nahid Islam, an adviser of the interim government, accused him in a Facebook post of making false and provocative statements during various assemblies, allegedly attempting to incite communal division and disrupt social harmony.[52][53][54] According to Daily Inqilab reports, Das was allegedly linked to the acid attack on army and police personnel in the Chittagong's Hazari Lane incident of November 2024.[55][unreliable source?] Further allegations against him include occupying a pond owned by BNP Vice-chairman Mir Mohammad Nasiruddin in Hathazari, Chittagong.[55][unreliable source?]

In 2023, Das was also accused of child abuse for which ISKCON International Child Protection Office, located in the United Kingdom, directed him to stay way from anyone under the age of 18. He was also temporarily suspended from the organisation and was banned from conducting religious rites.[11][56][55][57] At a press conference on 28 November 2024, Hrishikesh Gourango Das, a member of the Child Protection Team of ISKCON Bangladesh, said that several children accused Chinmoy Das of abuse following which he was suspended for three months from the organisation and from the position of Pundarik Dham to investigate the matter. However, Das refrained from following the instructions, leading to his permanent expulsion.[58] In July 2024, he was expelled from ISKCON for violating organisational discipline during his tenure as divisional organisational secretary for Chittagong.[14]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "ইসকন নেতা কে এই চিন্ময় কৃষ্ণ দাস?". The Daily Campus. 26 November 2024.
  2. ^ "কে এই চিন্ময় কৃষ্ণ দাস". The Bengali Times. 26 November 2024.
  3. ^ "Why was Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das arrested in Bangladesh?". The Week. 26 November 2024. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
  4. ^ Nath, Sanstuti (26 November 2024). "Supporters Of Arrested Hindu Priest Thrashed Outside Bangladesh Court". www.ndtv.com. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
  5. ^ "ISKCON leader Chinmoy Das held in Bangladesh for sedition". Hindustan Times. 26 November 2024. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
  6. ^ "Hindu monk sent to jail in Bangladesh: Who is Chinmoy Krishna Das?". The Indian Express. 26 November 2024. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
  7. ^ "Several injured after protests break out in Bangladesh over arrest of Hindu monk". India Today. 26 November 2024. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
  8. ^ "Bangladesh ISKCON priest Chinmoy Krishna Das arrested amid protests against Hindu atrocities". The Economic Times. 26 November 2024. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
  9. ^ "Chinmoy Krishna Das sent to jail". Dhaka Tribune. 26 November 2024. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
  10. ^ বাংলাদেশ, Daily Bangladesh :: ডেইলি. "ISKCON imposes Ban on Chinmoy for child sexual abuse". Daily Bangladesh. Retrieved 6 December 2024.
  11. ^ a b "ইসকনের চিন্ময়কে শিশু বলাৎকারের জন্য নিষিদ্ধ করা হয়". jaijaidin. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  12. ^ "Iskcon Bangladesh banned Chinmoy Das in 2023, report cites old letter". Firstpost. 29 November 2024. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  13. ^ a b c d e f Shruthi Darbhamulla (28 November 2024). "The arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Das in Bangladesh". The Hindu.
  14. ^ a b "Chinmoy expelled from ISKCON in July for disciplinary violations". Dhaka Times. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  15. ^ a b c Hindu monk sent to jail in Bangladesh: Who is Chinmoy Krishna Das?, The Indian Express, 26 November 2024.
  16. ^ Hindus in Bangladesh hold massive Chittagong rally demanding minority rights, Taslima Nasreen reacts, Hindusan Times, 26 October 2024.
  17. ^ Sanatan Jagaran Mancha calls for implementation of 8-point demand from Ctg rally, United News of Bangladesh, 25 October 2024. ProQuest 3120545496
  18. ^ a b c BNP leader expelled for filing case against ISKCON leader without party consent, The Dhaka Tribune, 1 November 2024.
  19. ^ Keshav Padmanabhan, Ex-ISKCON leader Chinmoy Das’s arrest: India slams ‘attacks on Hindus by extremist elements’ in Bangladesh, ThePrint, 26 November 2024.
  20. ^ "Two arrested for hoisting a saffron flag over the national flag". Dhaka Post (in Bengali). 30 October 2024. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  21. ^ a b "চিন্ময় দাশকে গ্রেপ্তারে 'গভীর উদ্বেগ' ভারতের". bdnews24.com. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
  22. ^ "Ensure safety of Hindus, India tells Bangladesh after arrest of ISKCON monk". Hindustan Times. 27 November 2024.
  23. ^ "চিন্ময় দাশের মুক্তির দাবিতে জেলায় জেলায় বিক্ষোভ". bdnews24.com (in Bengali). Retrieved 26 November 2024.
  24. ^ "Dhaka not thrilled by India's response to Chinmoy Krishna Das arrest: 'Our internal matter'". The Week.
  25. ^ "চট্টগ্রামে নিহত আইনজীবীর পরিচয় সম্পর্কে যা জানা যাচ্ছে". BBC Bangla. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  26. ^ প্রতিবেদক, নিজস্ব (26 November 2024). "চট্টগ্রাম আদালত এলাকায় হামলা, আইনজীবী নিহত". dhakapost.com (in Bengali). Retrieved 27 November 2024.
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  28. ^ a b "চট্টগ্রামে নিহত আইনজীবীর জানাজা সম্পন্ন, চলছে প্রতিবাদ কর্মসূচি". Opera News Official. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
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  30. ^ Chattogram Bureau (3 December 2024). "Chinmoy Das bail hearing pushed back to Jan 2". BDNews24. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
  31. ^ TBS Report. "Chinmoy's bail hearing rescheduled to 2 January". The Business Standard. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
  32. ^ PTI (3 December 2024). "No lawyer turns up on Hindu leader Chinmoy Das's behalf, bail hearing set for January 2". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
  33. ^ "India voices concern over arrest of Hindu monk in Bangladesh, urges govt to ensure minority protection". Financial Express. 26 November 2024. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
  34. ^ "Chinmoy Krishna Das: Bangladesh refutes India's statement". VOA Bangla (in Bengali). 27 November 2024. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  35. ^ "India's statements misrepresent facts: Dhaka". 26 November 2024. Archived from the original on 27 November 2024.
  36. ^ "বিবিসি বাংলা লাইভ- ভারতের পররাষ্ট্র মন্ত্রণালয়ের পাল্টা বিবৃতি বাংলাদেশের, চট্টগ্রামের নিহত আইনজীবী 'প্রিয় দলীয় সহকর্মী' দাবী জামায়াতের আমীরের". BBC News বাংলা (in Bengali). 26 November 2024. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  37. ^ Hosan, Ragib (26 November 2024). "'চিন্ময় ইস্যুতে ভারতের বিবৃতি বাংলাদেশের অভ‍্যন্তরীণ বিষয়ে হস্তক্ষেপের শামিল'". Jamuna Television. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  38. ^ "India's statement 'contrary to spirit of friendship'". The Daily Star. 26 November 2024. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  39. ^ "Arrest of a Hindu monk and the minority question: What's happening in Bangladesh?". The Indian Express. 3 December 2024. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  40. ^ PTI (3 December 2024). "U.K. Parliament raises concerns over attacks on Hindu minority in Bangladesh". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  41. ^ "Bangladesh: Attacks on Hindu Community - Hansard - UK Parliament". hansard.parliament.uk. 12 April 2024. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  42. ^ "UK Parliament raises concerns over attacks on Hindu minority in Bangladesh". The Indian Express. 3 December 2024. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  43. ^ "Sadhguru condemns arrest of Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das in Bangladesh". The Times of India. 26 November 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
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  46. ^ "Freedom of religion must be preserved: UK MP over attacks on Hindus in B'desh". Lokmat Times. 29 November 2024. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  47. ^ "Singer Mary Millben Urges World Leaders To Condemn Attacks On Hindus In Bangladesh After ISKCON Priest's Arrest". News18. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  48. ^ "US singer Mary Millben condemns imprisonment of Hindu priest in Bangladesh". News9live. 27 November 2024. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  49. ^ a b "'Violence against Hindus extremely worrying': Priyanka Gandhi calls for intervention by Centre in Bangladesh". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
  50. ^ Amaravati (27 November 2024). "Leaders in India condemn Chinmoy Das' arrest in B'desh, demand his release". Business Standard. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
  51. ^ "Ahead Of Swearing In As MP, Priyanka Targets Govt Over Hindu Seer's Arrest In Bangladesh". ABP News. 28 November 2024. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
  52. ^ "দেশে সম্প্রীতি নষ্ট করার পরিকল্পনা নিয়ে চিন্ময় কাজ করছিল: উপদেষ্টা নাহিদ". The Daily Campus. 26 November 2024. Archived from the original on 27 November 2024.
  53. ^ "Chinmoy was working to disrupt communal harmony: Advisor Nahid". Daily Inqilab (in Bengali). Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  54. ^ "Advisor Nahid Islam's remarks on the unprecedented killing of a lawyer". Bangla Tribune (in Bengali). Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  55. ^ a b c "ISKCON's Chinmoy finally arrested". Daily Inqilab (in Bengali). Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  56. ^ "ISKCON imposes Ban on Chinmoy for child sexual abuse". Daily Bangladesh. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  57. ^ টেলিভিশন, একুশে. "চিন্ময় ব্রহ্মচারী শিশু নিপীড়নকারী, এজন্য বিধিনিষেধও দেওয়া হয়েছিল". Ekushey TV. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  58. ^ প্রতিবেদক, নিজস্ব (28 November 2024). "চিন্ময় বহিষ্কৃত, তাঁর বক্তব্য ও কার্যক্রমের দায় ইসকনের নয়, বলেছেন সংগঠনটির নেতারা". Prothomalo (in Bengali). Retrieved 29 November 2024.
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