The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) has issued a statement expressing solidarity with Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das Prabhu, who was arrested in Bangladesh on charges of sedition. This statement comes after ISKCON Bangladesh distanced itself from the monk, following calls for a ban on the religious organisation within the country.
Chinmoy Krishna Das was arrested earlier this week on sedition charges for allegedly raising a flag on a stand displaying Bangladesh’s national flag. The arrest sparked widespread protests and outrage, particularly among the Hindu community in Bangladesh, who are demanding his immediate release. He was presented before a court in Chittagong, which denied his bail and sent him into custody. The controversy surrounding the arrest has led to significant violence and protests across Bangladesh, with many accusing the government of discrimination against Hindus.
In response to the controversy, ISKCON Bangladesh on Thursday distanced itself from Chinmoy Krishna Das, stating that his actions did not represent the religious body. Charu Chandra Das Brahmachari, the general secretary of ISKCON Bangladesh, confirmed that the monk had been removed from all positions within the organisation due to a breach of discipline. This disassociation came after calls were made in Bangladesh for ISKCON to be banned, labeling it a “radical organisation” and accusing it of stirring communal unrest.
However, ISKCON’s headquarters, in a clarification issued on Friday, stated that while Chinmoy Krishna Das was not an official member of the organisation, it did not disavow support for him. The statement reaffirmed ISKCON’s stance on supporting the priest’s rights and freedom to peacefully advocate for the protection of Hindus and their places of worship. ISKCON emphasised that the clarification only addressed the monk’s official position within the organisation, which had been previously communicated, and did not represent a shift in its position on his rights.
The situation took a legal turn when a lawyer filed a petition seeking to ban ISKCON’s activities in Bangladesh. This followed the killing of a lawyer during a clash between security forces and supporters of Chinmoy Krishna Das. However, the Bangladesh High Court rejected the petition on Thursday, refusing to impose a ban on ISKCON’s operations in the country. The court’s decision was seen as a relief for the organisation amid the growing tensions.
Meanwhile, the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das has prompted calls for intervention from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with a group of retired judges, bureaucrats, and a sitting MP urging him to address the rising violence and discrimination against Hindus in Bangladesh. The situation remains volatile, and many are watching closely to see how the issue unfolds.
