Union minister seeks UN intervention over arrest of ISKCON monk in Bangladesh

NEW DELHI: Union minister Giriraj Singh Wednesday sought the intervention of the United Nations over rising attacks against minorities in Bangladesh. Referring to recent arrest of ISKCON monk Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari in Dhaka, the Union minister said that the interim government of that country is in the "clutches of fundamentalists".

"The caretaker 'prime minister' of Bangladesh is in the clutches of fundamentalists. The way Hindus are being attacked is against humanity. United Nations should intervene in this matter," Singh said.

Union minister claimed that the targeting of Hindus and the arrest of religious leaders indicates a growing dominance of fundamentalist forces in Bangladesh, drawing parallels to the situation in Pakistan.

The remarks came in response to the arrest of Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, a monk associated with the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). He was detained on Monday by Bangladesh police near Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka while en route to Chattogram.

Meanwhile, India on Tuesday through the MEA expressed "deep concern" over the monk's arrest and the denial of bail, urging Bangladesh to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and other minority communities. The minister also criticised opposition parties for focusing on domestic issues like Sambhal violence while neglecting the challenges faced by Hindus in Bangladesh.

"People are talking about going to Sambhal, but Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav are not able to see Bangladesh, where atrocities are being committed against the Hindus. All Hindus should protest against the atrocities in Bangladesh," Singh said.

He also stressed on the need for a law to stop conversions in India.

"The law made by Assam on conversion should be welcomed. All states should have similar laws against religious conversion through enticements. Conversions are rising in the country and it is unfortunate. Democracy is safe only as long as the majority is 'Sanatani'," he said.