Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Condemns Arrest Of Hindu Priest In Bangladesh, Calls For Justice
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Condemns Arrest Of Hindu Priest In Bangladesh, Calls For Justice
New Delhi: Spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has strongly condemned the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, a prominent former ISKCON leader in Bangladesh, calling it an attack on those standing up for minority rights. Chinmoy Krishna Das was arrested in Dhaka on Monday following peaceful protests in Rangpur by the Hindu community demanding greater legal protection for minorities. Charged with sedition, he was denied bail by a Dhaka court on Tuesday.
In a video statement, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar expressed deep anguish over the incident, stating, “The treatment of minorities in Bangladesh is deeply painful. It is the duty of religious leaders to support affected communities. What kind of justice targets someone who is simply standing with the oppressed?”
#WATCH | On the detention of ISKCON Bangladesh priest Chinmoy Krishna Das by Dhaka police, Sri Sri Ravishankar says, "It is unbecoming of a Prime Minister of a neighbouring country to arrest a spiritual leader. He is not taking weapons, he is not taking guns, he is caring for his… pic.twitter.com/vXvjydC7B4
— ANI (@ANI) November 26, 2024
He emphasized that Chinmoy Krishna Das had not resorted to violence, instead offering courage and peaceful protest to those in need. “He is merely fulfilling his role as a spiritual guide, standing for human rights and giving hope to the helpless. Peaceful protest is a basic right of every citizen,” Sri Sri Ravi Shankar said, urging Muhammad Yunus, Chief Advisor to Bangladesh’s caretaker government, to ensure the priest’s immediate release.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs has also expressed concern over the incident, urging Bangladeshi authorities to safeguard the rights and security of Hindus and other minority communities. The ministry pointed to documented cases of violence, arson, and desecration targeting minorities in Bangladesh, lamenting that perpetrators often go unpunished.
“It is unfortunate that while those responsible for these crimes remain free, a religious leader peacefully advocating for legitimate demands is facing charges,” the ministry’s statement read.
We have come across disturbing reports that Sri Chinmoy Krishna Das, one of the prominent leaders of ISKCON Bangladesh, has been detained by the Dhaka police.
— Iskcon,Inc. (@IskconInc) November 25, 2024
It is outrageous to make baseless allegations that ISKCON has anything to do with terrorism anywhere in the world.…
The arrest has drawn widespread attention to the increasing challenges faced by minorities in Bangladesh, with calls for international intervention and justice growing louder.
