Chittagong Police charged Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das with attempted murder while he remains in custody. This action aligns with the upcoming Foreign Office Consultation between India and Bangladesh. Previously, authorities filed a sedition case against Das and hundreds of his followers, escalating tensions.
Court Delays Bail Hearing
The Chattogram court postponed Chinmoy Krishna Das’s bail hearing to January 2. The prosecution requested more time, citing the absence of a defense lawyer. Supporters allege authorities falsely implicated nearly 70 Hindu lawyers to prevent them from representing Das in court.
ISKCON Clarifies Its Stance
ISKCON Bangladesh confirmed that Chinmoy Krishna Das was expelled in October due to disciplinary reasons. Despite this, ISKCON Kolkata’s Vice-President, Radharamn Das, criticized the judicial process. He expressed concern about the targeting of lawyers defending the monk.
Referring to an attack on lawyer Regan Acharya, Das wrote on X, “How can any lawyer appear for #ChinmoyKrishnaDas when they are being targeted?”
Violence Follows Bail Rejection
The court rejected Das’s first bail plea on November 26. This decision sparked violent clashes, resulting in the death of lawyer Saiful Islam Alif. The incident has intensified public unrest and drawn attention to the monk’s case.
Calls for International Intervention
The case has drawn international focus. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to seek United Nations peacekeeping forces in Bangladesh. She emphasized the need to protect “persecuted Indians.” ISKCON Kolkata appreciated Banerjee’s stance. “We are thankful to CM Mamata Banerjee for highlighting the need for global intervention,” said Radharamn Das.
Concerns Over Human Rights
Criticism over Bangladesh’s handling of the case has grown. Das accused authorities of compromising the human rights of minorities. He highlighted the attack on advocate Ramen Roy, who was severely injured while defending Chinmoy Krishna Das. Roy remains in critical condition, further fueling concerns over the safety of legal defenders in Bangladesh.
The situation remains tense, with growing calls for justice and protection for minorities.