The hearing for the bail plea of Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, who was arrested in Bangladesh on charges of sedition, has been postponed due to the absence of legal representation. The court on Tuesday was adjourned after no lawyer appeared to present his case. ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) has alleged that the lawyer representing Chinmoy Das, Ramen Roy, was attacked by Islamic fundamentalists, leaving him critically injured and admitted to the ICU.
Next Bail Hearing Scheduled for Jan 2, 2025
The Chittagong Court has scheduled the next hearing for Chinmoy Krishna Das on January 2, 2025. In the meantime, Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatani Jagran Jote—a prominent Hindu organization—has accused the authorities of preventing about 70 Hindu lawyers from attending the hearing by implicating them in false cases. The arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das, once a senior ISKCON official and currently the spokesperson for Sammilit Sanatani Jagran Jote, highlights concerns over the safety of minority communities in Bangladesh.
The incident has sparked widespread criticism and raised serious questions about the treatment of minorities, particularly Hindus, in the country.
Roy's house was attacked: ISKCON
ISKCON Kolkata spokesperson Radharaman Das shared on social media that Advocate Ramen Roy’s only fault was he was defending Chinmoy Das. Das alleged that Roy’s home was attacked by extremists, leading to his critical injuries. The severity of the attack has left Roy fighting for his life in an ICU, underscoring the growing hostility toward those advocating for the rights of Hindu minorities.
RSS appeals to Indian govt
In a related development, RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) has urged the Indian government to raise the issue on international platforms, demanding the immediate release of Chinmoy Krishna Das. The RSS claims that such incidents are indicative of Bangladesh’s failure to protect its Hindu minority.
False rumor circulated
A false rumor had circulated last month claiming that Chinmoy Das’s lawyer had been murdered. However, investigations revealed that the murdered lawyer, Saifullah Islam Alif, had no connection to this case. Alif was killed during a violent clash on November 26, shortly after Chinmoy Das’s bail plea was denied. Following the incident, two separate cases were filed by Alif’s family, naming 116 individuals as accused.
Broader Implications for Minority Safety in Bangladesh
The arrest and subsequent legal turmoil surrounding Chinmoy Krishna Das have drawn international attention to the precarious situation of Hindus in Bangladesh. This case reflects a broader pattern of violence and intimidation against minority communities. Despite Bangladesh's assurances about the safety of minorities, incidents like this reveal a troubling disparity between official statements and ground realities.
As tensions escalate, the world watches closely to see how the Bangladeshi authorities will handle the situation and whether justice will be served for Chinmoy Krishna Das and those defending him.
PRAKASH KUMAR PANDEY
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