Police in Bangladesh fired teargas at Hindu protesters rallying against the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das, a prominent religious leader affiliated with the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).
The incident has drawn criticism from neighboring India, which called on Bangladesh’s caretaker government to protect minorities.
Das was apprehended at Dhaka airport on Monday on multiple charges, including sedition. His arrest triggered widespread demonstrations in Dhaka and Chittagong, with supporters demanding his release.
According to police, Das faced sedition charges stemming from an October rally in Chittagong, where he was accused of disrespecting Bangladesh’s national flag. A Chittagong court denied him bail on Tuesday.
The situation escalated when over 2,000 protesters surrounded the van transporting Das back to prison, blocking it for more than two hours. “They went on a rampage, throwing bricks at us. To disperse the crowd, we had to fire tear gas. No one was seriously injured, but one of our constables was hurt,” Chittagong Metropolitan Police Commissioner Hasib Aziz said.
India, in a strongly worded statement, condemned the arrest and raised concerns over the safety of minorities in Bangladesh. The Indian foreign ministry criticized the situation, saying, “It is unfortunate that while the perpetrators of documented vandalism and arson against minorities remain at large, charges have been pressed against a religious leader presenting legitimate demands through peaceful gatherings.”
The incident underscores ongoing tensions surrounding minority rights in Bangladesh, an issue that has increasingly drawn attention from Hindu-majority India, which maintains close cultural and economic ties with its neighbor.
