The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) has called on the Bangladesh government to promote “peaceful coexistence” for Hindus in the country. This comes after the arrest of prominent community leader Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, which has raised concerns among the Hindu community.
On Monday, Chinmoy Krishna Das was arrested at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, just before he was scheduled to fly to Chattogram for a rally. The Chattogram court denied his bail and sent him to jail on charges of sedition on Tuesday.
ISKCON Bangladesh’s General Secretary, Charu Chandra Das Brahmachari, expressed deep concern over the arrest and the violence against Hindus that followed. In a statement, he said, We strongly condemn the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das and the attacks on Hindus across Bangladesh. We urge the government to ensure peaceful coexistence for the Sanatani community.
The statement also reminded the government that Bangladesh is the ancestral homeland of many Hindus. It urged Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, to ensure justice for all citizens, allowing everyone to practice their religion freely. ISKCON’s appeal highlights the importance of religious freedom and peaceful coexistence for a harmonious society.