Following the arrest of ISKCON leader Chinmoy Krishna Das, the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry issued an official statement reaffirming its commitment to maintaining “religious harmony” across the nation, irrespective of religious affiliations. The ministry emphasized its dedication to upholding the rule of law for all citizens without discrimination.
“Bangladesh government is firm to uphold religious harmony in Bangladesh, irrespective of religious affiliation, and uphold rule of law for every Bangladeshi, without distinction, under the laws of land,” the statement read.
The ministry addressed concerns over the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das, stating that the situation was being “misconstructed” by certain groups. It also criticized “unfounded statements” that it claimed misrepresented facts and went against the spirit of friendship between India and Bangladesh.
“It is with utter dismay and deep sense of hurt that the government of Bangladesh notes that the arrest of Sri Chinmoy Krishna Das has been misconstructed by certain quarters since Sri Chinmoy Krishna Das has been arrested on specific charges. The government of Bangladesh maintains that such unfounded statements not only misrepresent facts but also stand contrary to the spirit of friendship and understanding between the two neighboring countries,” the statement said.
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The ministry underscored that these statements failed to reflect the religious harmony in Bangladesh or the government’s efforts to maintain it.
“The statement also does not reflect the harmony that exists among the peoples of all faiths and the commitment and the efforts of the government and the people in this regard,” it noted.
Furthermore, the ministry stated that Bangladesh is committed to ending the “culture of impunity” for human rights violators and treats all citizens equally, regardless of their religious identity.
“It also completely disregards that the government of Bangladesh is determined to conclusively end the culture of impunity to the perpetrators of gross human rights violations against the people of Bangladesh, thus treating the religious majority and minorities alike,” it added.
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The statement reaffirmed every citizen’s right to freely practice their religion and pointed to the recent peaceful celebration of Durga Puja as evidence of the government’s commitment to safeguarding religious freedoms.
“Bangladesh reaffirms in the strongest terms that every Bangladeshi, regardless of his or her religious identity, has the right to establish, maintain, or perform respective religious rituals and practices or express views without hindrance. Ensuring safety and security of all citizens, particularly the members of religious minorities, remains a duty of the government of Bangladesh. This was yet again vindicated by the peaceful observance of Durga Puja throughout Bangladesh only last month,” the statement said.
The ministry emphasized that the judiciary in Bangladesh operates independently and that the case against Chinmoy Krishna Das is being handled through legal channels.
“The government of Bangladesh would like to reiterate that the country’s judiciary is fully independent and it does not interfere in the work of the judiciary. The matter under question is at present being dealt with by the court of law,” the ministry added.
The statement also highlighted the government’s commitment to communal harmony, referencing the murder of Advocate Saiful Islam Alif in Chittagong as a recent challenge to social stability. Authorities have intensified security measures in the area to ensure peace.
“The government of Bangladesh is also committed to upholding communal harmony in the country. The government of Bangladesh is deeply concerned over the brutal killing of Advocate Saiful Islam Alif this afternoon in Chittagong. Authorities have stepped up security in the port city to ensure that religious harmony is maintained at any cost,” the statement said.
Chinmoy Krishna Das, arrested on Monday, was denied bail by the Chittagong Sixth Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday and sent to custody. The Dhaka Tribune reported that Judge Kazi Shariful Islam rejected his lawyers’ bail petition and ordered his imprisonment.
According to Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) Additional Deputy Commissioner Kazi Md Tarek Aziz, Chinmoy was arrested in connection with a sedition case filed at Kotwali police station. He was brought to Chittagong by road and subsequently presented in court.
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