ISKCON urges Bangladesh government to ensure 'peaceful coexistence' for Hindus after Chinmoy Krishna Das' arrest

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) has called on Bangladeshi authorities to ensure "peaceful coexistence" for Hindus in the country following the arrest of prominent Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari.

In a statement, ISKCON Bangladesh strongly denounced the arrest and the subsequent violence targeting the Sanatani community in various parts of the nation.

“We express our serious concern and strongly denounce the recent arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das. We also condemn the subsequent violence and attacks against Sanatanis in various regions of Bangladesh,” said ISKCON Bangladesh general secretary Charu Chandra Das Brahmachari.

"We urge the government authorities to promote peaceful coexistence for the Sanatani community," he said.

Chinmoy Krishna Das, spokesperson for the Bangladesh Sammilita Sanatani Jagran Jote, was arrested on Monday at Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport while en route to Chattogram to participate in a rally. On Tuesday, the Chattogram Sixth Metropolitan Magistrate Court denied him bail, sending him to jail in a sedition case.

Urging the interim government, led by chief adviser Muhammad Yunus, to safeguard religious freedoms, the ISKCON statement said that Bangladesh was their “birthplace and ancestral home.” It called for justice for Das, noting his consistent advocacy for minority rights and his efforts to protect the Sanatani community.

“Das has been a vocal advocate for the protection of minority groups in Bangladesh. Ensuring justice and fair treatment for him is crucial,” the statement said.

ISKCON also demanded the identification and accountability of perpetrators behind recent attacks on Hindus and called for robust measures to protect the civil rights of all minority members.

The situation for Hindus, who make up about 8% of Bangladesh's 170 million population, has become increasingly worrying. Since the fall of Sheikh Hasina's Awami League government on August 5, over 200 attacks have been reported across more than 50 districts.

India has expressed "deep concern" over these developments. On Tuesday, the Indian government urged Bangladeshi authorities to ensure the safety and security of all minority groups, including Hindus.
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