Bangladesh Says ‘Internal Affair’ As India Flags Safety Of Hindus After ISKCON Monk’s Arrest

After India expressed “deep concern” over the arrest of ISKCON Bangladesh monk Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari under sedition charges and urged Dhaka to ensure the safety of Hindus and all other minorities, the neighbouring country in a sharp reaction said it does not interfere with the judiciary, which is “fully independent”.
Calling it an “internal matter”, Dhaka in a statement said, “It is with utter dismay and a deep sense of hurt that the Bangladesh government notes that the arrest of Das has been misconstrued by certain quarters since he has been arrested under specific charges.” 
Dhaka said the Indian government’s statement “completely disregards that Bangladesh is determined to end the culture of impunity to the perpetrators of gross human rights violations against the people of the country”. It added that India’s statement does not reflect the harmony that exists among the members of all faiths in Bangladesh.
”Such unfounded statements not only misrepresent facts but also stand contrary to the spirit of friendship and understanding between the two neighbouring countries,” the Bangladesh government said in the statement.
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”>
🇧🇩 Government is firm to uphold religious <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/harmony?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#harmony</a> in <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bangladesh?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#Bangladesh</a>, irrespective of religious affiliation, and uphold rule of law for every Bangladeshi, without distinction, under the laws of the land. <a href=”https://t.co/gGaOrJ2SHl”>pic.twitter.com/gGaOrJ2SHl</a>
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs (@BDMOFA) <a href=”https://twitter.com/BDMOFA/status/1861428163055886564?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>November 26, 2024</a></blockquote>

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Das was arrested on sedition charges from the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport area in Dhaka on Monday. He was denied bail by a Bangladeshi court and sent to prison, triggering protests by Hindus in various locations, including the capital Dhaka and the port city of Chattogram. A lawyer was killed and several others were injured during clashes between law enforcement and followers of Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari in the port city.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Ministry Of External Affairs urged Bangladeshi authorities to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and all minorities, including their right to freedom of peaceful assembly and expression.
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, the MEA said. “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,” the statement said.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka said it was “unfounded” and stood contrary to the spirit of friendship between the two countries. ”Bangladesh reaffirms in the strongest terms that every Bangladeshi, regardless of his or her religious identity, has the right to establish, maintain or perform respective religious rituals and practices or express views without hindrance,” Dhaka said. 
”Ensuring safety and security of all citizens, particularly the members of religious minorities, remains a duty of the Government of Bangladesh,” it said, adding that Bangladesh is also committed to upholding communal harmony in the country.
<a title=”Also Read: India Expresses Concern As ISKCON Bangladesh Monk Chinmoy Das Sent To Jail, But ‘Unlikely To Intervene’” href=”https://news.abplive.com/india-at-2047/india-concerned-iskcon-bangladesh-monk-chinmoy-das-arrest-1733908″ target=”_self”>Also Read: India Expresses Concern As ISKCON Bangladesh Monk Chinmoy Das Sent To Jail, But ‘Unlikely To Intervene’</a>
<h2>ISKCON Calls Charges Against Das ‘Outrageous'</h2>
Meanwhile, the New York-based ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness, Inc.) on Monday said the charges levelled against Das were “outrageous” and “baseless”.
“We have come across disturbing reports that Sri Chinmoy Krishna Das, one of the prominent leaders of ISKCON Bangladesh, has been detained by the Dhaka police,” it said in a statement issued late Monday night.  
The religious body also said, “It is outrageous to make baseless allegations that ISKCON has anything to do with terrorism anywhere in the world. ISKCON,Inc. urges the Government of India to take immediate steps and speak to the Government of Bangladesh and convey that we are a peace-loving Bhakti movement.”
Das was arrested on the basis of a case filed against him in Chittagong on October 31 by a former leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Firoz Khan, who accused Das and 18 others of insulting the Bangladesh national flag. Das is also the leader of another religious organisation called ‘Sammilita Sanatan Jagaran Jote’ headquartered in Chittagong.