The arrest of ISKCON's Hindu religious leader, Chinmoy Krishna Das Prabhu, at Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Monday, and the subsequent denial of bail, have triggered tensions between India and Bangladesh.
In response to the action taken by the Bangladesh government, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a statement on Tuesday expressing concern over the treatment of Hindus and other minorities, especially the increasing attacks by extremist elements in the neighbouring country.
The MEA’s statement read: "We have noted with deep concern the arrest and denial of bail to Shri Chinmoy Krishna Das, spokesperson of the Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatan Jagaran Jote. This incident follows a series of attacks on Hindus and other minorities by extremist elements in Bangladesh."
The MEA further condemned the incidents of arson, looting, vandalism, and desecration of religious sites, including temples, as well as the attacks on Hindus and their businesses.
It highlighted the alarming fact that while the perpetrators of such attacks remain at large, charges were being pressed against a religious leader advocating for peaceful protests and legitimate demands.
The statement also voiced concerns over the attacks on minorities who were protesting peacefully in solidarity with Das. The MEA urged the Bangladeshi authorities to ensure the protection of Hindus and all minorities, emphasizing their right to peacefully assemble and express themselves without fear.
The arrest has sparked a wave of anger in West Bengal, with the state's Leader of Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari, stating that Hindus would move towards the border checkpoints and block Bangladeshi nationals from entering India.
Reports from intelligence agencies indicate that hundreds of people, without displaying any political party flags, began marching towards the Petrapole and Ghojadanga borders in North 24 Parganas district on Tuesday.
According to sources in the Intelligence Bureau, Chinmoy Krishna Das faces sedition charges from Bangladesh's law enforcement agencies.
He has been a vocal advocate for the rights of Hindus in Bangladesh, particularly in light of ongoing attacks on the Hindu community since the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s regime. One officer explained that Das had been leading campaigns to highlight the plight of Hindus and their need for better protection.
Rezaul Karim Mallik, spokesperson for Bangladesh’s detective branch, explained that Das was detained based on a request from regular police and would be handed over to the appropriate police station for further legal procedures.
Mallik confirmed that a case had been registered against Das in October after he led a rally in Chittagong, which the Bangladesh government deemed illegal. He was charged with disrespecting the national flag during this rally.
Das’s recent activism focused on organising rallies to demand justice for Hindus who have been targeted in Bangladesh. His efforts to unite the Hindu community and call for better protection and equal treatment have made him a prominent and popular figure among Hindus in the country.
Both the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and MEA sources confirmed that intelligence agencies, both domestic and foreign, are closely monitoring the situation as it continues to unfold.
The tension between India and Bangladesh over the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das is likely to further complicate the diplomatic relationship between the two nations.
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