Who is Chinmoy Krishna Das and why is he in jail?

Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, currently one of the most talked-about figures in Bangladesh, was arrested and sent to jail on November 26 after a court charged him with sedition. 

This sparked protests and clashes outside the court in Chattogram, where a lawyer tragically lost his life, and at least 20 others were injured. To control the situation, police used tear gas, sound grenades, and even baton charges.

The arrest has drawn the attention of the Indian government, which has expressed concern over the matter. 

The Bangladeshi government, in response to the tense situation, has deployed 10 battalions of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) to Dhaka and Chattogram, creating a tense atmosphere across the country.

Now, many are asking: Who is Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, and why was he arrested and sent to jail? Let’s take a deeper look at this situation.

Who is Chinmoy Krishna Das?

Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, born Chandan Kumar Dhar, is widely known by his followers as ‘Chinmoy Prabhu’. 

His spiritual journey began when he was just six years old, and he quickly developed a special connection with his mother, Jagadeshwari (Kali Ma).

From an early age, he was drawn to spiritual practices, starting under the guidance of a Mayavadi yogi. Over time, he became deeply focused on the worship of Krishna.

Chinmoy went on to become involved in several religious activities and organizations. 

He is currently the head of Pundarik Dham in Hathazari, Chattogram, and serves as the spokesperson for the Bangladesh Sanatani Jagaron Jot, a significant Hindu organization in the country.

At one point, Chinmoy was also a prominent member of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in Bangladesh, where he served as the divisional organizational secretary for ISKCON in the Chattogram region. 

However, on November 8, ISKCON Bangladesh issued a statement relieving him of all roles within the organization.

Despite his departure from ISKCON, the organization has come to his defense after his arrest. 

In an official statement, ISKCON has called for Chinmoy’s immediate release, describing him as an important leader in Bangladesh. They also strongly rejected allegations of terrorism that had been made against him, stating that there was no evidence to support such claims.

Why Was Chinmoy Arrested?

Chinmoy Krishna Das was arrested by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police on November 24 at Shahjalal International Airport. 

He was charged with sedition after allegedly raising a religious flag on top of the national flag. 

This incident followed a rally held by the Bangladesh Sanatani Jagaron Mancha in Chattogram on October 25. After this rally, a case was filed against Chinmoy for disrespecting the national flag.

On October 31, a sedition case was filed against him by BNP leader Firuz Khan at the Kotwali Police Station in Chattogram. 

However, it is important to note that Firuz Khan had already been expelled from his party by this time. 

According to the case, Chinmoy Krishna Das had raised the saffron-colored flag of ISKCON above the national flag, which is seen as an act of disrespect and an attempt to challenge the country’s sovereignty.

The case claims that this act of hoisting a religious flag above the national flag was not just disrespectful but also an effort to disrupt the unity and integrity of the nation. 

The accusations also suggest that the incident was meant to stir up unrest and undermine the state’s authority.

India’s Concern and Bangladesh Government’s Response

The arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das has also caught the attention of the Indian government. 

The Ministry of External Affairs in India issued a statement expressing concern over his arrest and the subsequent denial of his bail. 

They also voiced alarm over the attacks on peaceful protests by minority groups that followed his arrest. 

The Indian government has urged the Bangladeshi authorities to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and other minority groups in the country, and to guarantee their right to peacefully assemble and express their opinions.

In response to the arrest, there have been protests in India as well. 

Members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) organized demonstrations outside the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, calling for Chinmoy’s immediate and unconditional release. 

The protests were led by the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Subhendu Adhikari.

On the other hand, the interim government of Bangladesh, through Asif Mahmood, the Local Government, Youth, and Sports Advisor, has made it clear that anyone involved in acts of sedition will not be spared, regardless of their position or status. 

He emphasized that efforts to destabilize the country are being monitored, and no leniency will be shown to those found guilty of such offenses. 

He also reassured that the law enforcement authorities would take action based on the law, without considering religious or communal factors.

What’s Next?

As the situation continues to unfold, tensions remain high, both in Bangladesh and across the border in India. 

The arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das has sparked debates on issues of freedom of expression, religious identity, and national sovereignty. 

The outcome of this case will likely have significant political and social implications, not just for Bangladesh, but for its relationship with neighboring India as well.

In the coming days, it will be crucial to see how the legal proceedings play out and how the public, both in Bangladesh and abroad, responds to the charges and the actions taken by the government. 

As of now, the situation remains fluid, with many awaiting developments in this high-profile case.