India has urged authorities in Bangladesh to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and all minorities, including their right to freedom of peaceful assembly and expression. In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said, it has noted with deep concern the arrest and denial of bail to the spokesperson of the Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatan Jagran Jote Chinmoy Krishna Das. It said this incident follows the multiple attacks on Hindus and other minorities by extremist elements in Bangladesh. MEA said, there are several documented cases of arson and looting of minorities’ homes and business establishments, as well as theft and vandalism and desecration of deities and temples.

The Ministry said it is unfortunate that while the perpetrators of these incidents remain at large, charges should be pressed against a religious leader presenting legitimate demands through peaceful gatherings. It also notes with concern the attacks on minorities protesting peacefully against the arrest of Mr Das.

Meanwhile, in Bangladesh, law enforcement authorities used batons and fired sound grenades at devotees and followers of Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, also known as Chinmoy Prabhu of ISKCON Pundrik Dham, who had gathered outside the Chittagong Magistrate’s Court to demand the release of their leader.
Earlier on Tuesday, Chittagong Metropolitan Court passed an order to send  Chinmoy Prabhu, who is also spokesperson of Bangladesh Sammilita Sanatani Jagran Manch, to jail after rejecting his bail plea.  He was arrested by the Dhaka police on Monday from Dhaka airport while he reached there to catch a flight to Chittagong.

ISKCON Pundrik Dham’s Chinmoy Krishna Das and Bangladesh Sammilita Sanatani Jagran Jote have been advocating on behalf of the Sanatani or Hindu community across Bangladesh, raising eight-point demands for the safety and rights of minorities.

Following his arrest on Monday, thousands of men and Women of the Hindu Community held a protest march in Cheragi Pahar area of Chittagong. Dhaka, Rangpur, Khulna, Cox’s Bazar and in other cities of Bangladesh, members of the Hindu Community brought out rallies to protest against the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Dash Brahmchari and they demanded immediate release of him.

In Dhaka, some miscreants attacked members of the Hindu community in the rally when they reached Shahbagh Junction, and two people got injured.