Bangladesh Assures Safety Of Hindus Amid Uproar Over ISKCON Priest's Arrest

Amid ongoing controversy over the arrest of Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das Prabhu in Dhaka, Shafikul Islam, press secretary to Bangladesh's Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, assured that Hindus in the country are "safe" and that minorities face no threat.

In an interview with CNN-News18, Islam also stressed that the Bangladeshi government has no plans to ban the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), despite heightened tensions following the arrest of the former ISKCON priest on sedition charges and repeated calls for the Hindu organisation to be outlawed.

Photo Credit: PTI

"I don't know about the case trial, but the ISKCON will not be banned in Bangladesh," Islam stated firmly.

On Thursday, the Bangladesh High Court rejected a petition seeking to ban ISKCON's activities in the country, following a plea from a lawyer advocating such a ban.

'Chinmoy Krishna Das will get a fair trial'
Islam addressed the recent unrest among minority communities in Bangladesh, asserting, "Hindus are safe in Bangladesh. An industrial-level disinformation campaign is going on. I request you to come and cover the ground. Bangladesh witnessed violence in the initial few days, and the situation is now under control."

Islam was referring to unrest sparked earlier this week when Chinmoy Krishna Das was denied bail after his arrest, leading to protests by his supporters. He reaffirmed the government's commitment to ensuring that Das receives a fair trial.

He also mentioned ongoing tensions in Chattogram and noted that the Chief Advisor had taken proactive measures, including visiting temples and engaging with Hindu community leaders to address their concerns.

'India shouldn't have issued a statement': Islam on New Delhi's response
Commenting on India's recent statement regarding the situation in Bangladesh, Islam criticised New Delhi's involvement, calling it unwarranted interference in an "internal matter."

"The Indian government should not have issued a statement. It is our internal matter. We never comment on what happens in India," Islam told News18.

Earlier, India condemned the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das, emphasising the need to ensure the safety of Hindus in Bangladesh.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement, "We have noted with deep concern the arrest and denial of bail to Shri Chinmoy Krishna Das, who is also the spokesperson of the Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatan Jagran Jote."