India
‘Violence against Hindus extremely worrying’: Priyanka Gandhi calls for intervention by Center in Bangladesh | India News – Times of India
“The news of the arrest of the saint of the ISKCON temple in Bangladesh and the ongoing violence against minority Hindus are extremely worrying,” Priyanka Gandhi said in a tweet.
She called on the Indian government to intervene and urged it to “strongly raise the issue of ensuring the security of minorities with the government of Bangladesh.”
The incident that sparked outrage involved the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Dasa monk of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka while on his way to Chattogram.
Das was later produced before a court in Chittagong where his bail plea was rejected and he was sent to jail on charges of sedition. The case, which reportedly concerns the alleged misuse of Bangladesh’s national flag, has drawn criticism, with the complainant later expressing his unwillingness to pursue the case.
India has expressed “deep concern” over the developments. On Tuesday, the Indian government called on Bangladeshi authorities to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and other minority groups.
The arrest has also sparked protests across India. In West Bengal, BJP opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari led a rally outside the Legislative Assembly condemning the detention of the ISKCON leader.
“All Hindus must take to the streets. This is not just a protest but a struggle for the survival of Bengali Hindus,” said Adhikari, who on Thursday announced plans for a mass protest led by the Hindu Jagran Manch.
Former Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal also criticized the arrest. “The entire nation stands in solidarity with Saint Chinmoy Krishna Das ji, who was wrongfully arrested in Bangladesh. I appeal to the central government to intervene in this matter at the earliest to free Chinmoy Das,” Kejriwal said in a post on X.
