‘Safeguard Hindus’: India Reacts To Chinmoy Prabhu’s Arrest In Bangladesh

New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Tuesday expressed concern over arrest and denial of bail to a prominent former leader of International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), Chinmoy Krishna Das Prabhu, in Bangladesh.

India has also urged Dhaka to ensure the safety and security of Hindus, a religious minority in the country.

“We have noted with deep concern the arrest and denial of bail to Shri Chinmoy Krishna Das, who is also the spokesperson of the Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatan Jagran Jote. This incident follows the multiple attacks on Hindus and other minorities by extremist elements in Bangladesh. There are several documented cases of arson and looting of minorities’ homes and business establishments, as well as theft and vandalism and desecration of deities and temples,” the MEA said in a statement.

“It is unfortunate that while the perpetrators of these incidents remain at large, charges should be pressed against a religious leader presenting legitimate demands through peaceful gatherings,” it added.

The Ministry further voiced concern over the attacks on Hindus protesting against the religious leader’s arrest.

Earlier, the ISKCON had called upon India to take swift action and engage with Bangladesh for the release of their prominent priest.

According to reports, Prabhu was arrested in Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport area of Dhaka on Monday afternoon while travelling to Chattogram in southeastern Bangladesh. Chattogram Magistrate Court later rejected his bail plea and sent him to judicial custody. He was charged with sedition on October 31 after he led a huge rally in Chattogram in which he was accused of disrespecting Bangladesh’s national flag.  Many in the interim government see the rallies by Hindus as a threat to stability and a ploy to rehabilitate Sheik Hasina and her Awami League party.

Hasina has been living in exile in India since August 5 when she fled the country as the student-led protests morphed into a mass uprising.