Washington, DC [US], November 28: Renowned American singer Mary Millben has raised concerns over the arrest of ISKCON priest Chinmoy Krishna Das in Bangladesh. She called upon world leaders to address the escalating violence and persecution of Hindus and other minorities by extremists in the country.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Millben emphasized the need for safeguarding religious freedom and ensuring the safety of all people of faith worldwide. “The imprisonment of Chinmoy Krishna Das and the continued attacks against Hindus and other minorities by extremists in Bangladesh must be addressed now by world leaders. We must preserve religious freedom, and the safety of all people of faith globally,” she stated.
Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari was arrested on charges of sedition for allegedly raising a flag on a stand displaying Bangladesh’s national flag. A Chittagong court denied his bail plea on Tuesday, sending him to custody.
The arrest has sparked widespread outrage, with numerous groups and individuals calling for his immediate release.
In a parallel development, a lawyer filed a petition on Wednesday in Bangladesh seeking a ban on ISKCON, labeling it a “radical organization.” The petition alleged that ISKCON engages in activities designed to provoke communal unrest, impose its beliefs on traditional Hindu communities, and forcibly recruit members from lower Hindu castes, as reported by the Dhaka Tribune.
The petition further accused ISKCON of taking over Sanatan temples, evicting members of the Sanatan community, and inciting communal attacks on mosques. It claimed the organization was “destabilizing” the country and “collaborating with Indian media” to promote sectarian discord.
In response to the arrest and the allegations, ISKCON Bangladesh issued a statement expressing its concerns. “We express our serious concern and strongly denounce the recent arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das, spokesperson for the ‘Bangladesh Sammilito Sanatani Jagaran Jot,'” the statement read.
The organization also condemned the ensuing violence and attacks against Sanatanis in various regions of Bangladesh. “We urge the government authorities to promote peaceful coexistence for the Sanatani community,” ISKCON added.
The ongoing developments have further highlighted the challenges faced by minority communities in Bangladesh, with international voices like Millben’s calling for urgent global intervention to uphold religious freedom and human rights.