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NATION DECEMBER 06, 2024 | The Indian Eye 6

BANGLADESH MINORITIES

Outrage, anger and protests as Bangladesh

arrests ISKCON monk for ‘sedition’

Johnnie Moore, the former Commissioner of USCIRF expressed concern over

the global silence on the persecution of minorities in Bangladesh

OUR BUREAU

Dhaka/New York/Geneva
he International Society for Krishna Con-
sciousness (ISKCON) on Thursday expressed
Tsolidarity with priest Chinmoy Krishna Das,
who was arrested on charges of sedition for alleged-
ly raising a flag on a stand displaying Bangladesh’s
national flag. In a post on X, ISKCON, Inc. stated,
“ISKCON, Inc. stands with Chinmoy Krishna Das.
Our prayers to Lord Krishna for the protection of
all these devotees.”
Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari was arrest-
ed on charges of sedition for allegedly raising a flag
on a stand displaying Bangladesh’s national flag. He
was presented before a Chittagong court on Tues-
day, which denied his bail plea and remanded him
in custody.
The arrest has sparked widespread outrage,
with many demanding his immediate release. In a
related development, a lawyer filed a petition seek-
ing a ban on ISKCON in Bangladesh, labelling it
a “radical organization” that engages in activities
aimed at inciting communal unrest, according to People holding placards take part in a protest rally against the arrest of ISKCON monk Chinmay Prabhu by Dhaka police,
local media reports.
Earlier, the former Prime Minister of Bangla- at ISKCON HQ in Kolkata on Thursday. (ANI)
desh Sheikh Hasina condemned the “unjust” arrest
of Das and called for his immediate release. Hasina their voices every second right. I think that a lot of more since World War II. But I can also tell you
also voiced concerns about attacks on minorities times the Hindu community, when they are perse- this, Donald Trump is coming to town in Washing-
and their places of worship, urging the authorities cuted around the world, unfortunately, fewer peo- ton DC and he’s coming to town with an incredible
to ensure religious freedom and the safety of all ple speak up about it. I’m committing to doing the team of advocates for American values, that view
communities. exact opposite. I’m calling for the world’s human countries like India as indispensable allies in shap-
“A senior leader of the Sanatan religious com- rights and religious freedom organizations to do ing the future of the world,” he said.
munity has been unjustly arrested, and I demand the same”. Also, the All-Minorities Association of Ban-
his immediate release. Temples have been set “When Muhammad Yunus came in as the inter- gladesh held a protest at the iconic Broken Chair
ablaze in Chittagong. Previously, mosques, shrines, im leader of the country, he made promises related monument in front of the United Nations Office in
churches, monasteries, and homes belonging to the to democracy, the rule of law, and all of these values Geneva on Thursday.
Ahmadiyya community have been attacked, vandal- that are cherished by the West and our internation- Protestors across different faiths--Hindus,
ized, looted, and burned. Religious freedom and al institutions. This is a moment of existential threat Christians, Buddhists, and Ahmadi Muslims--were
the safety of all communities must be guaranteed,” not only for the minorities of Bangladesh but for joined by Swiss nationals who demonstrated soli-
Sheikh Hasina said in a statement. the entire country. It is a call to advocate for human darity with the cause.
Recently, a group of retired judges, bureaucrats, rights and religious freedom to speak up,” he added. The demonstrators voiced their concerns over
and a sitting MP sent a letter to Prime Minister Na- Moore also said that the present US administra- the ongoing atrocities in Bangladesh under the
rendra Modi, urging him to intervene and address tion under Joe Biden hadn’t paid enough attention caretaker government.
the rising violence and discrimination against Hin- to Bangladesh and this would change under Trump. The protestors alleged systematic violence tar-
dus in Bangladesh. “I am astonished that the current administra- geting minorities, resulting in the loss of lives, de-
Meanwhile, Johnnie Moore, the former Com- tion hasn’t been paying more attention to Bangla- struction of property, and widespread human rights
missioner of the United States Commission on desh. But the fact of the matter is, that one of the abuses. Protesters called for a secular and inclu-
International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), ex- reasons why there’s going to be a change of admin- sive Bangladesh that respects Bengali identity and
pressed concern over the global silence on the per- istration in the United States in just a few weeks is culture, reflecting the ideals of the 1971 liberation
secution of minorities in Bangladesh. because the foreign policy of this administration has movement against West Pakistani oppression and
Moore said, “Human rights organizations and not paid attention to a lot of issues. That’s why there its local collaborators, such as Jamaat-e-Islami and
religious freedom organizations sought to raise are more than 50 conflicts all around the world, Al-Badr.

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