Chinmoy Das
On Monday, November 25, Dhaka police arrested Bangladesh ISKCON spokesperson Chinmoy Das. After this, protests began in the country, which have not stopped until now. In particular, people from the capital Dhaka and the adjacent Shahbagh area are on the streets demanding the release of Chinmay Das.
According to media reports, Chinmay Das arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in the capital Dhaka at 3.30 pm yesterday. I was going to Chattagram. Then, some uniformed people, who claimed to be members of the intelligence department, entered the airport and took him with them.
What are the allegations against Chinmay Das?
Dhaka Police have said that Chinmoy Das has been arrested following a complaint lodged against him. Das is accused of insulting the national flag of Bangladesh. Former BNP leader Firoz Khan has made these allegations against Chinmay Das. Khan alleged that a rally by the Hindu community was held in Chittagong on October 25.
It was here that Chinmoy Das and 18 others disrespected the national flag of Bangladesh. However, what is interesting is that Firoz Khan, who was the leader of the BNP at that time, was expelled from the BNP within a few days of making the allegations for anti-party activities. On the other hand, the police launched an investigation into this matter and arrested two people.
Who is Chinmay Das and why under discussion?
Chinmay Das runs Pundarik Dham, which operates from Chittagong (the second largest city in Bangladesh). Das, a prominent face of the Hindu community, is also known as the spokesperson of ISKCON. His followers are all over the country. Pundarik Dham is also a part of Bangladesh ISKCON.
Das has been very vocal about the rights of religious minorities in Bangladesh. Since the departure of Sheikh Hasina’s government, she has strongly condemned attacks on Hindus and other minorities.
Last month, through a press conference, Das appreciated the support of other political parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh, in establishing communal harmony. He has also held meetings with parties like the BNP in this regard.
But apart from these praises, Chinmoy Das also criticized the caretaker government headed by Professor Mohammad Yunus. Das alleged that the Yunus government had failed to stop some three thousand attacks against the Hindu minority.
Bangladeshi Hindus and recent violence
Hindus make up about 8 percent of Bangladesh’s population. ISKCON, to which Chinmoy Das belongs, has more than 77 temples in Bangladesh. Around 50 thousand people are associated with this organization.
In recent months, especially after the departure of Sheikh Hasina’s government, incidents of discrimination and violence against the Hindu community have increased in Bangladesh. This was taken into account by the United Nations and Donald Trump during the United States presidential elections.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also mentioned it. Now, with the arrest of a voice from the Hindu community, there are fears that the situation will get even worse. If reports are to be believed, there are reports that protests for his release have also turned violent.
