India has expressed concerns over the arrest and denial of bail to Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, a leader of the Hindu group Sammilita Sanatani Jote.

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs on India expressed this concern in a statement today (Nov 26).

"We have noted with deep concern the arrest and denial of bail to Chinmoy Krishna Das, who is also the spokesperson of the Bangladesh Sammilita Sanatani Jagran Jote. This incident follows multiple attacks on Hindus and other minorities by extremist elements in Bangladesh. There are several documented cases of arson, looting of minorities' homes and businesses, theft, vandalism, and desecration of deities and temples," the ministry said.

On November 25, the Detective Branch (DB) of the police arrested Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, a leader of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), from Dhaka’s Airport area in connection with a case filed against him for allegedly desecrating the national flag.

The case, filed with Kotwali Police Station, named Chinmoy Krishna Das and 18 others as accused.

On October 25, a saffron-coloured flag was allegedly placed over the national flag during a rally organised by the Bangladesh Sanatani Jagaran Mancha at the Laldighi field.

Subsequently, Firoz Khan filed a case naming 19 individuals, including Lilraj Das Brahmachari, the head of ISKCON's Prabartak Sri Krishna Temple, and 15-20 unnamed others.

According to the case statement, the allegations claim that during the rally, a saffron religious flag associated with ISKCON was placed over the national flag at New Market — an act described as "tantamount to rejecting the integrity of the state."

The defendants were further accused of sedition, alleging that they disrespected the national flag with the intent to "undermine the country’s sovereignty and create unrest," and sought to "destabilise the state by displaying a religious flag above the national flag."

BDST: 1623 HRS, NOV 26, 2024
MSK