Former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, has condemned the arrest of Hindu spiritual leader Chinmoy Krishna Das on sedition charges, demanding his immediate release.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Hasina described the detention of the prominent Hindu leader as unjust and highlighted the growing threats faced by minority communities in the country.
"A top leader of the Sanatan religious community has been unjustly arrested; he must be released immediately," she said in the statement, shared on the official X account of the Awami League, the party she leads.
The ex-premier also decried the recent burning of a temple in Chattogram and referred to past incidents targeting other religious minorities.
“Previously, mosques, shrines, churches, monasteries, and homes of the Ahmadiyya community were attacked, vandalised, looted, and set on fire. Religious freedom and security of life and property of people of all communities should be ensured,” Hasina asserted.
Background
The arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das earlier this week sparked protests in the northeastern city of Chattogram. A violent clash during one such demonstration led to the death of Assistant Government Prosecutor Saiful Islam Alif, further intensifying tensions.
Das had been expelled from ISKCON prior to his detention, which has drawn criticism from various quarters, including Hasina.
Since Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus assumed office as Chief Adviser of the interim government in August, following Hasina’s departure to India amidst widespread anti-government protests, Hindu minority groups have reported escalating violence and atrocities.
Hasina fled Bangladesh on 5 August after mounting protests over a controversial job quota system destabilised her government.
The rise of extremist groups like Jamaat-e-Islami and others with similar ideologies has exacerbated concerns about minority safety and religious harmony.
Hasina’s call for protection
In her statement, Hasina urged the interim government to prioritise the protection of all communities, citing the importance of preserving Bangladesh’s long-standing commitment to religious pluralism and harmony.
“Religious freedom and the security of life and property must be ensured for people of all communities,” she said, emphasising the necessity of safeguarding the rights of the Hindu minority.
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