Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, a Hindu priest and religious minority leader in Bangladesh, was arrested in Dhaka amid tensions over minority rights in the country, which has seen widespread political violence since the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The arrest came after protests led by the Hindu community in Rangpur city, about 300 km north of Dhaka, demanding stronger legal protections and a dedicated ministry for minority affairs.
Radharaman Das wrote, “I have just received the shocking news that Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, a Hindu monk and the face and leader of Bangladeshi minorities in these difficult times, has been arrested by the Dhaka Police and taken to an undisclosed location. Please note.” , ISKCON spokesperson tagged External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and the Indian High Commission in Dhaka.
I have just received the shocking news that Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, a Hindu monk and the face and leader of Bangladeshi minorities in these difficult times, has been arrested by the Dhaka Police and taken to an undisclosed location. please note @ihcdhaka @DrSJaishankar, pic.twitter.com/J9MszoBUvy
– Radharaman Das Radharaman Das (@RadharamnDas) 25 November 2024
Although Bangladeshi authorities have not issued any official statement, reports suggest that Brahmachari was detained at Dhaka airport earlier this week. His arrest comes after a sedition case was filed against him earlier this month for his outspoken stance against violence allegedly targeting Hindus.
About 8 percent of Bangladesh’s population of 170 million are Hindus. Since the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the new military-backed interim government led by Mohammad Yunus has faced criticism for failing to stop a surge in violence against minorities.
In recent months, Hindu businesses, homes and temples have been vandalized, with unrest that has worsened since Sheikh Hasina’s departure. Earlier this month, sedition charges were filed against 19 people who participated in a minority rights rally in Chittagong.
BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari criticized the Yunus government in Bangladesh and said that Chinmoy Brahmachari is leading the “fight for survival” of the Hindu minorities.
“Famous firebrand Hindu leader; Shri Chinmoy Krishna Das Prabhu has been kidnapped by the spy branch at Dhaka airport in Bangladesh. He is leading the fight for the survival and dignity of Bangladesh’s Hindu minorities. Bangladeshi Sanatani community fears That Mohammed Yunus’ ‘I insist that the fundamentalist regime can stoop to any level, even to eliminate ‘perceived threats’ to its authority
Mr Adhikari posted on X, @DrSJaishankar ji please take note of the matter and take immediate action.
Famous firebrand Hindu leader; Shri Chinmoy Krishna Das Prabhu has been kidnapped by the Detective Branch at Dhaka Airport in Bangladesh.
He is leading the fight for the survival and dignity of the Hindu minorities of Bangladesh.Bangladeshi Sanatani community fears that MD… pic.twitter.com/n5Bb6Zk2JM
– Suvendu Adhikari (@SuvenduWB) 25 November 2024
Kanchan Gupta, a senior advisor in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, described the arrest as “a targeted move to suppress dissenting voices”.
“Hindu leader and ISKCON monk Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari is reported to have been arrested in Dhaka by Yunus Regime Police. Chinmoy leads a massive rally of Hindus protesting against hate attacks targeted at Krishna Das Brahmachari and demanding protection from Islamists After being charged with treason, Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, the senior leader of the Hindu community, was taken to the spy wing of the Yunus regime. ”Mr Gupta wrote.
Hindu leader and ISKCON monk Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari is reported to have been arrested in Dhaka by Yunus Regime police.
Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari was charged with sedition after leading a massive rally of Hindus protesting targeted hate attacks and demanding protection…– Kanchan Gupta?? (@KanchanGupta) 25 November 2024
The interim regime in Bangladesh had announced plans to unveil an electoral roadmap, promising to reform the electoral system. However, critics remain skeptical of its commitment to democracy, especially as reports of targeted attacks against minorities continue to emerge.
During a speech, Mohammad Yunus pointed to the government’s security measures during Durga Puja, celebrated at over 32,000 places across the country, as a testament to its commitment towards the safety of minorities. Nevertheless, activists argue that these measures are inadequate.
