By 
26.11.2024
Bangladesh Campaign
Global Human Rights Defence.
The recent arrest of prominent Hindu religious leader Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari in Bangladesh has sparked fresh protests across major cities like Dhaka and Chittagong, bringing renewed attention to the country’s ongoing tensions with its religious minorities. Das, a leader of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in Bangladesh, was detained at Dhaka airport on November 25th, 2024, following his involvement in advocating for the protection of Hindu rights. The charge against him and 17 other Hindu leaders stems from their engagements in a rally held in October that ‘allegedly’ disrespected the Bangladeshi flag by hoisting a saffron flag over it.
The court has since denied Das’s bail, remanding him to judicial custody. While the authorities have ensured him certain religious privileges in detention, his followers remain undeterred, staging large protests to demand his release and greater minority protections. In the clashes that ensued, several protesters sustained injuries, underscoring the growing unrest. According to the leaders of Hindu organisations, the arrest is part of a wider suppression campaign against minorities in Bangladesh, where incidents of violence, forced conversions, and religious discrimination have reportedly intensified.
From a human rights perspective, this situation raises serious concerns. Under Bangladesh’s Constitution and its international obligations, particularly the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), individuals have the right to freedom of expression, assembly, and belief. Detaining Das for voicing concerns about minority protection directly infringes upon rights to peaceful expression and association. Furthermore, the broad use of sedition laws to silence minority voices contradicts Article 19 of the ICCPR, which safeguards the right to impart and receive information, a key element of peaceful advocacy for minority rights.
Additionally, reports of protesters being injured by assailants indicate a failure by the government to protect peaceful assemblies. International human rights standards, including the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities, emphasise state responsibility to create an environment where minorities can practice their religion freely and engage in peaceful activities without fear of retribution. Das’s arrest, paired with the lack of accountability for those attacking minority communities, paints a troubling picture of selective justice.
This case has also garnered international attention, with calls from foreign governments and human rights organisations urging Bangladesh to uphold the rights of its Hindu community. The arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das not only symbolises the ongoing challenges faced by religious minorities in Bangladesh but also reflects the urgent need for legislative reforms to safeguard minority rights and prevent the misuse of sedition laws against peaceful advocates.
These issues raise concerns about fair treatment of minorities in Bangladesh. International human rights organisations also play a vital role in monitoring the situation and emphasising the need for an impartial review of the sedition charges to prevent misuse against peaceful activism.
Sources and further readings:
Alam, J. (2024, November 25). Police in Bangladesh arrest Hindu leader who leads rallies for minority protection. ABC News. https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/police-bangladesh-arrest-hindu-leader-leads-rallies-minority-116224057
NDTV. (2024, November 26). World report: Hindu monk arrested in Bangladesh. NDTV. https://www.ndtv.com/video/world-report-hindu-monk-arrested-in-bangladesh-pakistan-protests-trump-tariff-israel-deal-865715
NewsX. (2024, November 26). Who is Chinmoy Krishna Das and why was the outspoken Hindu priest arrested by Bangladesh. NewsX. https://www.newsx.com/world/who-is-chinmoy-krishna-das-and-why-was-the-outspoken-hindu-priest-arrested-by-bangladesh/
Swarajya. (2024, November 26). ‘Unfortunate charges against religious leader’: India issues statement against arrest of Hindu monk in Bangladesh. Swarajya. https://swarajyamag.com/news-brief/unfortunate-charges-against-religious-leader-india-issues-statement-against-arrest-of-hindu-monk-in-bangladesh
Associated Press. (2024, November 25). Police in Bangladesh arrest Hindu leader who leads rallies for minority protection. AP News. https://apnews.com/article/bangladesh-prabhu-hindu-leader-arrest-hasina-yunus-40bbfeb0096e0212d220e31966f25d97
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