DHAKA, Nov 25 : Bangladesh-based ISKCON leader Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, who has actively campaigned for minority rights in the country, was arrested from Dhaka airport while he was about to take a flight to Chittagong.
A prominent figure among the Hindu community, Brahmachari is spokesperson of the Bangladesh Sammilita Sanatani Jagran Jote.
His arrest follows the controversial accusation of sedition levied against him a month earlier after he led a massive rally of Hindus in Chittagong with a saffron flag instead of Bangladesh’s national flag.
The Detective Branch Additional Commissioner Police Rezaul Karim Mallik confirmed the matter, saying, “Chinmoy has been taken into custody. He has been detained based on requisition of a complaint. Accordingly, he will be handed over to the designated police station,” as per bdnews24.
However, Mallik did not provide any additional details on the arrest or the charges.
The Sanatani Jagran Jote’s key organiser Gaurang Das Brahmachari also confirmed the arrest news and said “Chinmoy was supposed to go to Chattogram by air from Dhaka. I heard that he has been picked up by the police from Dhaka airport.”
His arrest has sparked outrage among the Hindu community as well as created fears for his safety, as Brahmachari has been a strong voice against the spree of violence against Hindus and other religious minorities in Bangladesh.
The country has witnessed a marked increase in the attacks on minorities after the ouster of ex-PM Sheikh Hasina on August 5 by a “student”-led protest.
India has repeatedly urged the interim government led by Chief Advisor Mohammed Younus to protect the rights of Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh. (UNI)
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