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It is unfortunate that charges have been brought against a religious minority leader who raised a just demand through a peaceful rally, the country’s foreign ministry says
Published : 26 Nov 2024, 11:44 PM
The Indian government has expressed concerns over the arrest and denial of bail to Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, a spokesperson of the Sammilito Sanatani Jagoron Jote.
In a statement on Tuesday, India’s foreign ministry said it had noted the issue with “deep concern”.
Chinmoy Krishna, principal of Chattogram’s Pundarik Dham, has been advocating on behalf of the Sanatani or Hindu community across Bangladesh, raising eight demands, including an end to minority persecution.
He was arrested from Dhaka's Shahjalal International Airport by Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Detective Branch on Monday.
Protests broke out demanding his release in different districts including Dhaka, Chattogram, Cumilla, Khulna, Dinajpur and Cox's Bazar.
He was brought to the court in a ‘sedition’ case around 10:45am on Tuesday amid tight security.
Following a public rally at Chattogram’s Laldighi Maidan on Oct 25, a sedition case was filed on Oct 30 against Chinmoy and 18 others at Kotwali Police Station.
The BNP removed its Chandgaon Mohra ward unit general secretary Firoz Khan, an accused in the case.
The case alleged that on the day of the rally, a saffron religious flag associated with the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, or ISKCON, was placed over the national flag at New Market -- an act described as 'tantamount to rejecting the integrity of the state'.
The case further accuses the defendants of engaging in sedition by disrespecting the national flag with the intent to 'undermine the country’s sovereignty and create unrest', while aiming to 'destabilise the state by displaying a religious flag above the national flag'.
A Chattogram court sent Chinmoy Krishna to jail on Tuesday, turning down his bail appeal.
The lawyers sought the court's order to allow Chinmoy Krishna to perform his religious rituals while in jail.
The court ordered to follow the prison code of conduct in this regard.
There were widespread protests when Chinmoy Krishna was taken to the prison. Supporters blocked his prison van in the court premises for about three and a half hours. Police also used stern grenades to disperse them.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs said, “This incident follows the multiple 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.”
“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,” the statement added.
