Tensions are escalating in Bangladesh following the arrest and imprisonment of Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das, culminating in a disturbing attack on a journalist and further arrests. On Saturday night, senior journalist Munni Saha was brutally heckled by an angry mob in Dhaka’s Kawran Bazaar area. The mob accused Saha of disseminating misinformation and actively working to integrate Bangladesh with India. A video of the incident captures the mob’s aggressive questioning, accusing her of complicity in the death of students during recent anti-reservation protests that led to a change in government. They hurled accusations of treason and culpability for bloodshed.
The intensity of the mob’s anger underscores the deep divisions currently fracturing Bangladeshi society. Saha, already implicated in a case linked to the student deaths, suffered a panic attack during the ordeal before being rescued and handed over to the police for her protection. Her case highlights the precarious situation faced by journalists operating in a climate of heightened political tension and social unrest.
The arrest of Das, a former ISKON priest, earlier this week without bail, acted as a catalyst for the ongoing protests in Dhaka and Chittagong. These protests have resulted in at least one fatality and several injuries as supporters clashed with law enforcement. While a Chattogram court has scheduled a bail hearing for Das on December 3rd, the announcement was delayed due to a lawyer’s boycott and work abstention. This delay further fuels public discontent and uncertainty.
Adding fuel to the fire, the Kolkata branch of ISKON reported the arrest of two more monks, Adipurush Shyam Das and Ranganath Das Brahmachari, along with Das’s secretary. Radha Raman, the VP of ISKON Kolkata, confirmed these arrests in a video statement, suggesting a wider crackdown on those associated with the imprisoned priest. This escalation raises concerns about religious freedom and the potential for further escalation of the already volatile situation.
The incident involving Munni Saha and the ongoing unrest surrounding the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das underscore the complexities and fragility of the political landscape in Bangladesh. The accusations of misinformation, the violence directed at a journalist, and the further arrests paint a picture of a nation grappling with deep-seated tensions, raising serious concerns about freedom of the press, religious tolerance, and the rule of law.
