Chinmoy Krishna Das arrested in Bangladesh

Chinmoy Krishna Das, a prominent Hindu monk and spokesperson for the Bangladesh Sammilita Sanatani Jagran Jote, was arrested on November 25, 2024, at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on charges of sedition. His arrest followed allegations that he disrespected the national flag during a rally in Chattogram on October 25, where he and others were accused of hoisting a saffron flag above the national flag.

This incident has sparked significant unrest, leading to protests across Bangladesh, particularly among the Hindu community, which constitutes about 8% of the population. The protests escalated into violent clashes, resulting in the death of a public prosecutor, Saiful Islam, during confrontations between police and demonstrators. Following Das’s arrest, the Bangladeshi government faced international scrutiny, particularly from India, which expressed deep concern over the treatment of minorities in Bangladesh and urged the government to ensure their safety.

In response, the Bangladeshi authorities defended the arrest as a lawful action based on specific charges, dismissing claims of systematic attacks on minorities as exaggerated. The situation has further deteriorated with reports of vandalism at Hindu temples and the arrest of additional priests, including Shyam Das Prabhu, who was detained while attempting to visit Das in jail.

The ongoing tensions highlight the precarious position of religious minorities in Bangladesh amid a backdrop of political instability following the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Jargon

sedition: A legal term referring to actions or speech that incite rebellion against the authority of a state. In this context, Chinmoy Krishna Das was charged with sedition for allegedly disrespecting the national flag during a protest.
ISKCON: The International Society for Krishna Consciousness, a global Hindu religious organization known for its promotion of the teachings of Lord Krishna and community service. In this case, it is involved due to the arrest of one of its former members, Chinmoy Krishna Das.
Bangladesh Sammilita Sanatani Jagran Jote: A coalition of Hindu organizations in Bangladesh advocating for the rights and protection of Hindus and other minorities. Chinmoy Krishna Das serves as a spokesperson for this group.

Viewpoints 💭

‘Left’ Viewpoint

Ideological Differences

‘Right’ Viewpoint

The arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das is seen as a suppression of minority voices, with the Bangladeshi government accused of targeting Hindu leaders under the guise of national security.
The left emphasizes the need for diplomatic engagement between India and Bangladesh to address the safety of minorities, urging both governments to prioritize human rights and peaceful coexistence.
Critics argue that the sedition charges against Das are politically motivated, reflecting broader issues of religious intolerance and the marginalization of minorities in Bangladesh.
The left calls for international intervention to ensure the protection of minority communities in Bangladesh, highlighting the historical ties and responsibilities of India in safeguarding these groups.
There is a strong emphasis on the need for legal reforms in Bangladesh to protect minority rights, including the establishment of a dedicated ministry for minority affairs and a special tribunal for minority-related crimes.

While the left focuses on diplomatic solutions and international cooperation to address the safety of minorities in Bangladesh, the right calls for a more assertive and proactive Indian foreign policy to protect Hindu interests.
The left emphasizes the need for legal reforms and the establishment of institutions to safeguard minority rights, whereas the right prioritizes immediate action and accountability for the Bangladeshi government’s treatment of Hindus.
The left views the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das as a reflection of broader issues of religious intolerance and calls for international intervention, while the right sees it as a direct attack on Hindu identity and demands a strong response from India.
The left advocates for peaceful coexistence and human rights, urging both India and Bangladesh to prioritize these values, whereas the right focuses on cultural nationalism and the protection of Hindu religious identity.
The left highlights the historical ties and responsibilities of India in safeguarding minority communities in Bangladesh, while the right emphasizes the need for India to leverage its diplomatic influence to ensure the safety and rights of Hindus.

The right views the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das as an attack on Hindu religious identity, accusing the Bangladeshi government of failing to protect Hindu interests and cultural heritage.
There is a call for a more assertive Indian foreign policy, with demands for the Indian government to take a stronger stance against Bangladesh’s treatment of Hindu minorities.
The right emphasizes the need for immediate action to release Das and other detained Hindu leaders, viewing their arrests as part of a broader pattern of persecution against Hindus.
The RSS and other right-wing organizations advocate for global support to address the violence against Hindus in Bangladesh, urging international institutions to hold the Bangladeshi government accountable.
The right criticizes the interim Bangladeshi government for its perceived inaction and demands that India leverage its diplomatic influence to ensure the safety and rights of Hindu minorities.

Prominent Voices 📣

From the ‘Left’

From the ‘Right’

Muhammad Yunus (Interim Leader of Bangladesh): Urged calm and reassured commitment to communal harmony, condemning the murder of a lawyer during protests. ¹ ²
Asif Nazrul (Bangladesh Law Affairs Adviser): Criticized India’s stance as double standards, pointing out India’s own issues with minority treatment. ³
Tareq Md Ariful Islam (Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN): Clarified that Chinmoy Das’s arrest was based on specific charges and denied any systematic attacks on minorities in Bangladesh. ⁴ ⁵
Representative of the International Forum for Secular Bangladesh (IFSB): Described the situation in Bangladesh as alarming and criticized the arrest of Das as unjust. ⁵

Narendra Modi (Prime Minister of India): Expressed concern over the safety of Hindus in Bangladesh and raised the issue with Bangladesh’s interim government. ⁶
Mohan Bhagwat (RSS Sarsanghchalak): Highlighted the organized resistance of Bangladeshi Hindus against radical forces and stressed the importance of international support. ⁷
Sadhguru (Spiritual Leader): Described the situation as disgraceful and criticized Bangladesh for becoming theocratic and autocratic. ⁸ ⁹
Dattatreya Hosabale (RSS General Secretary): Condemned the acts of violence against minorities in Bangladesh and called for the release of Chinmoy Krishna Das, urging both the Indian government and international institutions to take action. ¹⁰ ¹¹
S Jaishankar (External Affairs Minister of India): Emphasized India’s concern over violence against minorities in Bangladesh and the responsibility of the Bangladeshi government to protect them. ¹² ⁵

Sheikh Hasina (Former Prime Minister of Bangladesh): Condemned the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das and highlighted the persecution of minorities, calling for his immediate release. ¹³ ¹⁴
Radharaman Das (ISKCON Kolkata spokesperson): Highlighted the ongoing threats against ISKCON and other Hindu communities in Bangladesh, urging Indian authorities to take protective measures. ¹⁵ ²
Suvendu Adhikari (West Bengal Assembly Leader of Opposition): Criticized the Bangladeshi government’s actions and expressed concern over the treatment of Hindus, calling for the release of Chinmoy Krishna Das. ¹⁶ ⁸
Agnimitra Paul (BJP leader): Voiced worry about the safety of Hindus in Bangladesh and demanded the unconditional release of Chinmoy Krishna Das. ¹⁶
Acharya Satyendra Das (Chief Priest of Ram Temple in Ayodhya): Condemned the arrest and warned of the deteriorating condition of Hindus in Bangladesh. ¹⁶ ⁸
VHP Leader (Vishwa Hindu Parishad Leader): Expressed concern over a conspiracy to expel Hindus from Bangladesh and called for Das’s release. ³