Chinmoy Krishna Das: Why Was Bangladeshi Hindu Monk Arrested On Sedition Charges? Check His 8 Demands

Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, more widely known as Chinmoy Krishna, has recently found himself at the center of a national controversy in Bangladesh. Chinmoy Das was apprehended at Dhaka's main airport on Monday while he was on his way to Chattogram in southeastern Bangladesh. He is a prominent spokesperson for the Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatan Jagran Jote and a leader within the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). He was arrested for allegedly desecrating the Bangladeshi flag during a protest, facing sedition and treason charges.

Chinmoy Krishna hails from Satkania Upazila in Chittagong, and he has been a well-known religious figure for many years. Sources within ISKCON Chittagong reveal that Krishna Das was popularly known as ‘Shishu Bokta’ due to his early popularity as a religious preacher. His influence within ISKCON grew from 2016 to 2022, during which he served as the Chittagong Divisional Secretary of the organization. Since 2007, he has also held the position of Principal at Pundarik Dham in Hathazari. 

According to local media reports, charges against the ISCKON priest relate to an incident that occurred on October 25, when a saffron flag associated with ISKCON was allegedly hoisted above the national flag at the New Market intersection in Chittagong. The case was filed by Md Feroze Khan under sedition laws, accusing Krishna Das and 18 others of actions intended to destabilise the country. 

Chinmoy Krishna's arrest has sparked significant debate, with critics arguing that the incident was politically charged and aimed at inciting division. On the other hand, the individual who filed the sedition case, Md Feroze Khan, faced repercussions of his own. He was suspended from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and placed in police custody for his protection, after the flag incident gained attention. 

The incident was reportedly part of a larger rally held at Laldighi Maidan, where the ISKCON flag was controversially placed above Bangladesh's national flag. This act has been described as an affront to the nation’s sovereignty, with allegations that it amounted to ‘treasonous activities’ aimed at fostering unrest, reported Dhaka Tribune. A photograph of the incident went viral, leading to public outcry and the eventual removal of the flags. 

Despite his long-standing association with ISKCON, recent media reports suggest that Chinmoy Krishna was suspended from his position within the organisation three months ago. However, some ISKCON members reportedly assert that the allegations against him stem from internal conflicts within the group, and they claim that Krishna Das continues to lead a prominent ISKCON institution in Chittagong. 

The Sanatan Jagaran Mancha, a movement formed in August amid rising unrest in Bangladesh, provides a broader context for Chinmoy Krishna’s actions. The platform emerged in response to vandalism targeting Hindu homes and temples during a mass uprising when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was out of the country. Chinmoy Krishna was appointed as the spokesperson of the platform, which advocates for the rights and security of Hindus in Bangladesh. 

What Are The 8 Demands: The Sammilit Sanatan Jagran Jote, led by Krishna, has articulated an 8-point list of demands aimed at securing greater protections and rights for Bangladesh’s Hindu minority. Among these demands are the establishment of a special tribunal to expedite trials for crimes committed against minorities, appropriate compensation and rehabilitation for victims, and the immediate passage of a law protecting minority groups. Additionally, the group is calling for the creation of a dedicated ministry for minority affairs, the introduction of prayer facilities in educational institutions, and the formal recognition of Hindu, Buddhist, and Christian welfare trusts as official foundations. 

Other key demands include the effective enforcement of the Property Recovery and Preservation Act, modernization of the Sanskrit and Pali education board, and the designation of Durga Puja as a five-day public holiday. The platform’s leaders have expressed their resolve to continue their protests until these demands are met. However, the Bangladeshi government granted two days public holiday for Durga puja.