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The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Tuesday condemned the arrest and denial of bail to Hindu religious leader Chinmoy Krishna Das Prabhu.
Prominent Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari was arrested on Monday (November 25, 2024) | File Image
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Tuesday condemned the arrest and denial of bail to Hindu religious leader Chinmoy Krishna Das Prabhu and urged the Bangladesh authorities to ensure the safety of Hindus, a religious minority in the country.
MEA’s strong remark came after Prabhu, who led multiple protests over atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh, was arrested by the Dhaka Police’s Detective Branch on November 25 at Dhaka airport.
“We urge Bangladesh authorities to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and all minorities, including their right of freedom of peaceful assembly and expression,” said the MEA in an official statement.
The ministry underscored that the arrest of Prabhu follows incidents related to attacks on Hindus and other minorities by extremist elements in Bangladesh.
“There are several documented cases of arson and looting of minorities’ homes and business establishments, as well as theft and vandalism and desecration of deities and temples,” the MEA said.
The ministry further expressed concerns over the attacks on the religious minority group members protesting peacefully for the release of Prabhu.
Prabhu was associated with the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) for many years and has served as the society’s spokesperson. On several occasions, Prabhu raised his voice against the acts of violence against Hindus in Bangladesh, calling out the practice of religious discrimination.
ISKCON Lauds MEA’s Intervention
The ISKCON temple authorities, which earlier urged the Indian government to intervene and speak to the Government of Bangladesh regarding the matter, lauded the Indian government’s move to condemn the arrest of Prabhu.
Radharaman Das, Vice President of ISKCON, thanked the Ministry of External Affairs for “standing against the arrest of Chinmoy Prabhu.”
“He is being treated as a terrorist and being targeted because of becoming a prominent face of Hindu protests in Bangladesh. He held several protests over atrocities against Hindus, but it was organised peacefully,” Radharaman Das, Vice President of ISKCON, told CNN-News18.
He added that the sedition case filed against Prabhu stands “false” and “he was not given any reason for arrest at the airport.” Earlier, the temple authorities demanded the Bangladesh government to immediately release its leader and stated that they are a peace-loving Bhakti movement
Prabhu Charged With Sedition
A court on Tuesday denied bail to Prabhu, known as a prominent leader of the Hindu group Sammilita Sanatani Jote, and upheld the sedition case filed against him allegedly over his outspoken stance on minority rights in the country.
Massive protests broke out in Dhaka and other parts of Bangladesh, demanding Prabhu’s immediate release. Visuals from Bangladesh showed multiple protests being held in Dhaka and Chittagong. Members of the Hindu community also protested in Shahbagh against the Hindu monk’s arrest.
“We will not do anything that will ruin the peace. Keep your emotions in control. Peace is our only way forward,” said the Hindu Monk after being sent to judicial custody.
According to sources, Prabhu’s lawyer representing him in the court has filed a review petition to secure his bail, claiming that charges against him are ‘falsely’ framed.