A case has been filed in Bangladesh against Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das and his followers in connection with a violent clash on the court premises in Chittagong, according to a report by the Dhaka Tribune. The incident, which occurred on Sunday, led to the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das on charges of sedition and has escalated tensions between Bangladesh’s Hindu community and law enforcement. The case names Chinmoy Krishna Das as the primary accused, along with 164 identified individuals and 400 to 500 unidentified people involved in the altercation.
The lawsuit was filed by Enamul Haque, a businessman and activist of the Islamic group Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh. Haque claimed that on November 26, after completing his work related to land registration, he was ambushed by followers of the Hindu monk while leaving the court. Haque, who was dressed in a headgear and panjabi, said he was singled out and attacked. He suffered serious injuries, including brain trauma and a broken right hand. Haque was later rescued by onlookers and taken to Chittagong Medical College Hospital for treatment. Haque explained the delay in filing the case was due to the prolonged recovery from his injuries.
This clash is part of a broader series of incidents linked to Chinmoy Krishna Das’s arrest on November 25 at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on charges of sedition. The arrest of the Hindu monk, who is also a spokesperson for the Bangladesh Sommilito Sanatani Jagaran Jote, has sparked large protests from his supporters and heightened tensions within Bangladesh’s Hindu minority community. In the aftermath, there have been multiple complaints filed by both sides, escalating the already fragile situation.
On November 27, the Chittagong police filed three separate complaints at Kotwali police station against unnamed individuals for attacking protesters and obstructing law enforcement during the protests sparked by Chinmoy Krishna’s detention. Additionally, on November 28, another complaint was filed by a businessman, claiming an assault near Rangam Cinema Hall, with 29 named individuals, including political group members and International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) affiliates, alongside 40 to 50 unidentified assailants.
The situation surrounding Chinmoy Krishna’s arrest and his growing divisiveness within Bangladesh has raised alarms, particularly regarding the treatment of Hindus in the country. Concerns have intensified, especially as attacks on religious minorities have surged in recent months. The arrest of Chinmoy Krishna, a former ISKCON member, has further strained relations between Bangladesh’s Hindu community and the state, adding to existing tensions between Bangladesh and neighboring India over religious and political issues.
