College Students in Silchar Burns Md Yunus’s Effigy, Calls for the Release of Chinmoy Krishna Das

The arrest of Hindu Monk Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari and the denial of his bail has heightened tension between India and Bangladesh. Protests and rallies are being held across India demanding the release of the monk. The Ministry of External Affairs of India has also condemned the arrest and asked for bail. Joining the bandwagon, college students in Cachar burnt the effigy of Muhammud Yunus the Chief Advisor (CA) of Bangladesh this afternoon and protested the arrest of the monk.

On October 30, a case was filed against 19 people, at Chattogram’s (Bangladesh) Kotwali Police Station, accusing them of disrespecting Bangladesh’s national flag in Chattogram’s New Market area during a rally of the Hindu community. Among the 19 was also the name of the Hindu monk, Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, the spokesperson of Bangladesh’s Sanatan Jagaran Manch and the head of Pundarik Dham in Chittagong.

Sedition charges were pressed against him and Das was taken into custody by the Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police. He was detained on Monday (November 25) afternoon from the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport area in the capital, following which protests erupted in Chittagong demanding his release.

According to a leading Bangladeshi news portal Jugantor, since August 5, several gatherings in the name of Sanatan believers have been held in Bangladesh. At these gatherings, Chinmoy Krishna Das gave various threats and warnings to the current government in his speeches. Although he was already under discussion, he gained more attention after organizing a rally in Chattogram’s Laldighi Maidan on October 25 afternoon to press for an 8-point demand.

These demands came after several instances of torture of Hindu minorities in Bangladesh came to light. The unstable Bangladesh government led by Central Advisor Muhammud Yunus have failed in several instances to protect the rights of the minorities. Hence the series of rallies and protests by the groups led by Chinmoy Krishna Das and others.

Chinmoy Krishna Das is the spokesperson of the newly-formed coalition, Bangladesh Sommilito Sanatan Jagaran Jote, between two religious bodies, namely, Bangladesh Sanatan Jagaran Manch and Bangladesh Sommilito Shankhaloghu Jote. The Manch is a platform which advocates for the rights of Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh.

On Wednesday (November 27) the protest was held at the pedestal of Khudiram Bose in Club Road, Silchar. Students of Cachar College led the protest march along with the students of other educational institutes and raised their voices against the Bangladesh administration. “Down down Md Yunus” and release Chinmoy Krishna Das were the loudest heard slogans in the protest.

The college students also burnt the effigy of Yunus calling it a total failure for not being able to protect the Hindu minorities of Bangladesh and the arrest of a monk. A student spokesperson said, “We have seen torture on our Hindu brothers and sisters in Bangladesh and we have released enough is enough. Bangladesh’s government is not taking any steps against this violence and torture. We strongly criticise the silence of the Bangladesh government. We urge the security of our Hindu brothers and sisters there and strict actions against the Jihadis. The government must ensure the protection of our monks there before we escalate our protest”.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Tuesday (November 26) expressed “deep concern” over incidents targeting minority communities in Bangladesh, and termed the arrest and denial of bail for International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) leader Chinmoy Krishna Das as “unfortunate”.

Responding to the MEA’s remarks, Bangladesh said the statement was “contrary” to the friendly ties between the two neighbouring countries and that it misrepresented facts.

MEA’s statement on November 26 read, “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. 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. We also note with concern the attacks on minorities protesting peacefully against the arrest of Shri Das. We urge Bangladesh authorities to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and all minorities, including their right of freedom of peaceful assembly and expression”

Soon after, a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh noted that the MEA had remarked “on a matter concerning internal affairs of Bangladesh”, and said, “such unfounded statements not only misrepresent facts but also stand contrary to the spirit of friendship and understanding between the two neighbouring countries”.