Bangladesh police deployed tear gas and batons against Hindu protesters in Dhaka and Chittagong on Monday following the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das, a prominent Hindu religious leader associated with the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). Das was apprehended at Dhaka airport on charges, including sedition, related to a rally he organized in Chittagong in October. The rally reportedly turned violent after he allegedly insulted Bangladesh’s national flag, which led to widespread protests from his supporters.
As the protests intensified, more than 2,000 people gathered around the police van escorting Das to prison, blocking it for over two hours. Chittagong Metropolitan Police Commissioner Hasib Aziz described the situation as chaotic, with protesters throwing bricks at police. “To control the crowd, we had to use tear gas. Thankfully, no serious injuries occurred, but one constable was injured in the chaos,” Aziz told reporters.
The arrest has sparked concern in India, which expressed deep anxiety about the safety and security of Hindus and other religious minorities in Bangladesh. India’s Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement on Tuesday urging the Bangladeshi government to ensure the protection of minorities, particularly Hindus, following a series of attacks on their communities. The statement highlighted incidents of arson, looting, and vandalism targeting minority homes, businesses, and temples, noting that many of the attackers remain unpunished.
“We are deeply concerned about the continued persecution of Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh, especially as these attacks appear to be organized and perpetrated by extremist groups,” the statement said, referencing several documented cases of violence in recent months.
Hindus make up roughly 8% of Bangladesh’s 170 million-strong population, and the community has been subjected to numerous attacks in recent months. Since August, following the fall of the Awami League government, more than 200 attacks have been reported across nearly 50 districts. These incidents have intensified fears among religious minorities, leading to protests and calls for more excellent protection.
The ongoing unrest highlights the increasingly precarious position of religious minorities in Bangladesh, where tensions between the ruling government and opposition parties have led to a volatile environment. While Bangladesh’s government has yet to address the specific grievances raised by the protests, the situation has raised alarm both domestically and internationally.