On Friday, a Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson said India has conveyed its concern over the attacks on Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh and pressed for a “fair and transparent trial” for Chinmoy Krishna Das.
Tensions between Bangladesh and India have escalated following the claim by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (Iskcon) that more than 63 Hindu monks were blocked from entering India at the Benapole land port in Bangladesh over the weekend. According to Radharamn Das, a spokesperson for Iskcon in Kolkata, these monks had valid visas and sought to cross into India, but were stopped by Bangladeshi authorities. The monks were reportedly told by border officials that India was "not safe" for them, preventing their entry.Das raised concerns about the safety of Hindu minorities and religious leaders in Bangladesh, noting that the monks' attempt to cross into India had been denied despite the possession of proper documents. He stated that this situation highlighted ongoing fears among religious communities in Bangladesh, who continue to face alleged persecution. “People with valid visas are being allowed to enter India from Bangladesh and vice versa. Why are our monks being singled out?” he questioned. He expressed sympathy for the monks, who were left in a state of panic due to continuing violence against minorities in Bangladesh. Iskcon, which represents a significant Hindu organization, has been vocal in its opposition to such treatment and has asked for prayers for the safety of those involved.
The incident at the border coincides with the ongoing legal and political drama surrounding Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das, who was arrested by Bangladesh police on November 25. Das, a leader of the Sammilito Sanatani Jagaron Jot, faces sedition charges in connection with his activism and alleged remarks against the Bangladeshi government. A court in Chittagong denied him bail the following day, sending him to jail. Das is scheduled to be presented in Bangladesh’s top court on Monday. His arrest and subsequent detention have sparked outrage among Hindu groups, with many viewing it as part of a broader pattern of discrimination and violence against Hindus in the country.
On social media, Radharamn Das shared updates about the situation, including the blocking of the Iskcon monks at the Benapole port. He noted that the monks were detained despite holding valid Indian visas, with Bangladeshi border police citing intelligence reports as the reason for their denial of entry. This move follows the arrest of four Iskcon monks at the same border point earlier. The Bangladesh government has not yet responded to these fresh allegations, but it has previously denied claims of systematic persecution of minorities, describing the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das as being based on specific charges and not linked to religious or ethnic discrimination.
The situation has drawn further attention in India, where the Ministry of External Affairs expressed concern over the treatment of Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh. India has called for a "fair and transparent trial" for Chinmoy Krishna Das, urging the Bangladesh government to protect the rights of minorities. Iskcon has distanced itself from Das, clarifying that he was expelled from the organization in September for violating its rules, though his arrest has nonetheless become a flashpoint for larger discussions about minority rights in Bangladesh.
The recent developments have added to the tense atmosphere surrounding the treatment of religious minorities in Bangladesh, a matter that continues to strain relations with neighboring India. The blocking of monks at the border and the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das serve as stark reminders of the challenges faced by religious communities in Bangladesh, fueling concerns about the safety and well-being of Hindus in the country.
