According to Bangladeshi media reports, a lawyer was killed on Tuesday during a clash between security personnel and supporters of Hindu priest Chinmaya Krishna Das. The Bangladesh Law Enforcement Agency arrested Chinmoy Krishna Das on November 25 on charges of treason. The Bangladesh court did not grant him bail on Tuesday and sent him to prison. Following this, Chinmoy Das’s supporters took to the streets and started violent protests. According to Bangladesh’s leading newspaper, Daily Star, at least 10 people, including journalists, were injured during the clash with security personnel.
According to the Dhaka Tribune newspaper report, the deceased lawyer has been identified as Saiful Islam, 35, deputy public prosecutor and member of the Chittagong District Bar Association. Dr Nibedita Ghosh, posted at the emergency department of Chittagong Medical College, said clashes broke out between security personnel and supporters of prominent Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das, who was arrested on charges of treason by the Sixth Chittagong Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court after the court refused to grant him bail. Six other people were injured.
Also read: ‘We are not against Bangladesh government,’ said Chinmoy Das… Police attacked Hindu supporters on the court premises.
Chittagong Bar Association president Nazim Uddin Chowdhury said protesters pulled Saiful Islam out from under his chamber and killed him. As Chinmoy Krishna Das was being taken away in a police van, he addressed the crowd through a handheld microphone and urged them to remain calm. Law enforcement resorted to grenades, tear gas and lathicharge to disperse the protesters around 3 p.m. on Tuesday. Chittagong Police Commissioner Liaquat Ali confirmed one death and said the reasons behind it were under investigation.
No Sanatani is involved in the murder of lawyer Saiful
Hindu organization ‘Bangladesh Samit Sanatani Jagran Jote’ said in a statement that no Sanatani is involved in the murder of lawyer Saiful Islam. An attempt is made to blame the Sanatanis by carrying out a planned group murder. The organization said in a statement: ‘Our spokesperson Chinmoy Krishna Das was produced in court today (November 26). He has been arrested in a false treason case. The court rejected Chinmay Krishna Das’ bail plea and ordered him to be sent to prison. Following this, common Sanatanis demonstrated at the court premises demanding the release of Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari. Thousands of Sanatani lay down in front of the prison van. At that time, the Bangladeshi police, army and border guard attacked the Sanatanis without any provocation. Shots and grenades were thrown from their side. At that moment the Sanatani scattered here and there and started running for their lives.
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Sanatani Jagran Jote of Bangladesh further said, ‘At that time, the security forces and some citizens attacked the Sanatanis while raising ‘Nara-e-Takbeer’ slogans and pelted them with bricks and stones. The Sanatani have always respected the places of worship of other religions. No sanatani attacked the mosque. Rather, those who raised Nara-e-Takbeer slogans pelted stones at the windows of the mosque. We strongly condemn and oppose this. Later a rumor spread that the mosque had been attacked and other people gathered. The angry crowd attacked the Sanatanis. They attacked Chittagong lawyer Saiful Islam Alif with Nara-e-Takbir slogans and seriously injured him. The Sanatanis did not kill him. Rather, those evildoers killed Alif and blamed the Sanatanis.
Targeting Sanatanis after seeing the Raksha Sutra
The Hindu organization further said, ‘The lie is being spread on social media that lawyer Saiful Islam Alif was murdered by ISKCON members, which is completely incorrect and this lie is being spread deliberately. Sanatani, who was protesting against the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das, was unarmed. We must find out who planned the murder of lawyer Saiful Islam. We strongly condemn and protest against this murder and demand the arrest of the culprits. We saw people dressed in white coming out of the court premises and raising ‘Nara-e-Takbeer’ slogans and setting Savak Colony on fire along with the police. They also attacked the Loknath temple on Firangibazar Road. Not only this, they attacked many areas including Gangabari and Patharghata. If any Sanatani was seen on the road carrying the Raksha Sutra in his hands, they would beat him and attack the Sanatani shops.
Bangladesh-based Sanatani Jagran Jote has demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari and a judicial inquiry into the violence in Chittagong. The Hindu organization stated that if the investigation is carried out in collaboration with the United Nations and other international human rights organizations, the real facts will come to light. The organization stated: ‘Our 8-point movement will continue. Sanatanis cannot be suppressed by filing false cases and harassing them. Chinmay Prabhu has said that even if he is in prison, this movement should not stop. Therefore everyone must be prepared from their respective places. We believe in the peaceful movement and are committed to maintaining the stability of the country.
Also Read: ISKCON Saint Chinmoy Das’ bail plea rejected in Bangladesh, see what he said during his arrest?
India condemned arrest of Chinmay Das
India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement on Tuesday: ‘We express our deep concern over the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das in Bangladesh and the denial of his bail. This issue has come to light amid ongoing attacks on Hindus and other minorities by extremist elements in Bangladesh. There have been many cases of arson and looting of minority homes and business establishments, as well as theft, vandalism and desecration of Hindu temples.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs said: ‘It is regrettable that sedition charges are being brought against a Hindu priest who raised legitimate demands through peaceful gatherings, rather than criminal ones targeting Hindu minorities. We also expressed concern over the attacks on Hindu minorities who were peacefully protesting against the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das. We urge the Bangladesh authorities to ensure the safety of Hindus and all minorities, including the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and expression.’
Also Read: Chinmoy Krishna Das arrested: ‘Saffron flag was on top of Bangladesh flag’, strange allegations by Bangladesh police over Chinmoy Prabhu’s arrest.
Bangladesh reacted to India’s comment
Bangladesh reacted to India’s statement on the arrest of Hindu priest and former ISKCON member Chinmoy Krishna Das. The Bangladesh government issued a statement on Tuesday saying: “The attention of the Government of Bangladesh has been drawn to a statement issued in the media by the Ministry of External Affairs of India on November 26, 2024 regarding our internal affairs. It is with great disappointment and deep pain that we say that the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das has been misinterpreted by some quarters. He has been arrested on several charges. The Government of Bangladesh believes that such unfounded statements not only misrepresent the facts but are also contrary to the spirit of friendship and mutual understanding between the two neighboring countries.
