A Bangladesh court on Thursday upheld its decision to deny bail to Chinmoy Krishna Das, a Hindu monk and spokesperson for the Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatan Jagran Jote, who remains imprisoned on sedition charges. The ruling, delivered by Chattogram Metropolitan Sessions Judge Md Saiful Islam, followed a 30-minute hearing marked by heightened security measures.
Das, a former International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) monk, has been incarcerated since November 25, after his arrest at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in connection with a sedition case filed in Chattogram. His legal team has vehemently contested the charges, arguing that they are fabricated and politically motivated. In addition to his legal battle, Das’s health is a significant concern, as he suffers from chronic conditions such as diabetes and respiratory issues that require immediate medical attention, further complicating his detention.
Radha Raman Das, Vice President of ISKCON Kolkata, condemned the court’s decision, describing it as a “sad” outcome. He lamented the global attention surrounding the case and expressed frustration that Das’s release was not granted as many had hoped for a resolution by the New Year. “Everyone was optimistic that Chinmoy Prabhu would be free, but even after 42 days, his bail request has been rejected,” he said. “The Bangladesh government must step in to ensure justice is served.”
The charges against Das arose from a controversial incident on October 25, when he allegedly raised a saffron flag above Bangladesh’s national flag in Chittagong, which is considered highly provocative in a country where secularism is a constitutional principle. This action sparked a wave of protests that quickly turned violent. The situation further deteriorated on November 27, when clashes between Das’s supporters and law enforcement outside the Chattogram Court Building resulted in the tragic death of a lawyer. This incident led to heightened tensions and further scrutiny of the case, which has been marred by delays, including threats against Das’s legal team that caused previous bail hearings to be postponed.
International human rights organizations have voiced their concern over the case, with many questioning the fairness of the charges and the ongoing detention. The situation has attracted widespread attention, especially considering Bangladesh’s track record with religious minorities, including Hindus, who have faced increasing challenges in the country. With Das’s legal proceedings still ongoing, there are calls for transparency and fairness in his trial, as well as a broader conversation about the rights of religious minorities in Bangladesh.
