Bangladesh is facing heightened scrutiny regarding the safety and security of its Hindu minority community. Recent protests, sparked by the arrest and subsequent denial of bail to Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das on sedition charges, have raised international concerns. However, the press secretary to Bangladesh’s Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, Shafikul Islam, has moved to alleviate these fears.
In an interview with CNN-News18, Islam categorically stated that Hindus in Bangladesh are safe and that the situation is “under control.” He attributed the initial violence to an “industrial-level disinformation campaign” aimed at misrepresenting the situation. While acknowledging that violence occurred in the initial days following Das’ arrest, Islam asserted that the government has taken decisive action to quell the unrest and restore order.
The arrest of Das, and the subsequent allegations against the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), have fueled the controversy. A Supreme Court lawyer, Md Monir Uddin, petitioned a High Court to ban ISKCON, citing allegations of “radical activities” that threaten national security and incite communal violence. However, the High Court declined to issue a ban after being informed of the government’s actions to address the concerns. Islam emphatically confirmed that ISKCON will not be banned in Bangladesh, assuring that Das will receive a fair trial.
The situation has also strained relations between Bangladesh and India. India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a statement expressing concern over Das’ arrest and the broader implications for the Hindu community in Bangladesh. This prompted a sharp rebuke from Islam, who firmly stated that India’s intervention in what he characterized as an “internal matter” is unacceptable. He underscored that Bangladesh does not interfere in India’s internal affairs and expects reciprocal treatment.
The MEA statement highlighted multiple attacks on Hindus and other minorities by extremist elements in Bangladesh and expressed concern that while perpetrators of these incidents remain at large, charges were brought against a religious leader peacefully advocating legitimate demands. This sentiment underscores the complexities of the situation and the need for careful consideration of all sides of the issue to ensure peace and stability in Bangladesh. The ongoing situation demands further investigation and monitoring to assess the long-term impact on religious harmony and international relations.
