Hindu spiritual leader Chinmoy Krishna Das, who was arrested on sedition charges, faced no relief on Tuesday as a Bangladesh court set the next hearing for January 2, 2025. Currently in custody, Das is expected to remain in jail until then. The Chattogram court postponed the hearing on his bail petition to the new date, as the defense lawyer was absent. Chattogram Metropolitan Session Judge Saiful Islam scheduled the hearing, and police stepped up security around the court premises ahead of the session. Additional police patrols were observed, and a procession by a group of lawyers took place, although Chinmoy Krishna Das was not presented in court.
Das, associated with the Sammilita Sanatani Jagaran Jote, was arrested in Dhaka on November 25 following a complaint filed on October 31 by a local politician. The complaint accused Das and others of disrespecting Bangladesh’s national flag during a rally organized by the Hindu community. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has strongly condemned the arrest and the denial of bail, with widespread calls for Das’ release. ISKCON, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, has expressed solidarity with Chinmoy Krishna Das, praying for the protection of the devotees.
Additionally, ISKCON has stated that two monks, Adipurush Shyam Das and Ranganath Das Brahmachari, as well as Das’ secretary, have also been arrested. In a troubling development, a lawyer filed a petition in Bangladesh seeking a ban on ISKCON, labeling it a “radical organization” allegedly inciting communal unrest. The petition claims that ISKCON is promoting religious events with the intention of provoking sectarian violence, imposing its beliefs on traditional Hindu communities, and forcibly recruiting lower-caste Hindus.
