Hindu Monk Chinmoy Krishna Das Denied Legal Representation As Bail Hearing Delayed For A Month In Bangladesh. The bail hearing for Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, a Hindu priest arrested in Bangladesh on sedition charges, has been postponed until January 2, 2025, after no lawyer appeared in court on Tuesday.
The situation arose following a brutal attack on his legal representative, Advocate Ramen Roy, who is currently in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) after being assaulted at home by alleged Islamist attackers. This incident highlights the increasing dangers faced by those defending religious minorities in Bangladesh.
Chinmoy Krishna Das was arrested on November 25 at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport after protests erupted in Rangpur, where the Hindu community demanded stronger legal protections against discrimination. He has been accused of disrespecting the national flag during a rally aimed at advocating for minority rights.
Following his arrest, violent clashes occurred outside the Chattogram court, resulting in the death of Assistant Public Prosecutor Saiful Islam Alif. The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) reported that approximately 70 Hindu lawyers were allegedly “falsely sued” to prevent their participation in the bail hearing for Chinmoy Krishna Das.
On Monday, Radharaman Das, the spokesperson for ISKCON Kolkata, said in a post on X, “Please pray for Advocate Ramen Roy. His only ‘fault’ was defending Chinmoy Krishna Prabhu in court. Islamists ransacked his home and brutally attacked him, leaving him in the ICU, fighting for his life”.
Please pray for Advocate Ramen Roy. His only 'fault' was defending Chinmoy Krishna Prabhu in court.
— Radharamn Das राधारमण दास (@RadharamnDas) December 2, 2024
Islamists ransacked his home and brutally attacked him, leaving him in the ICU, fighting for his life.#SaveBangladeshiHindus #FreeChinmoyKrishnaPrabhu pic.twitter.com/uudpC10bpN
The Bangladesh Sammilita Sanatani Jagran Jote, with which Chinmoy is associated, accused members of a political group of orchestrating these attacks against lawyers advocating for him. In a statement, ISKCON spokesperson Radharamn Das expressed concern over the escalating violence against advocates for religious minorities, stating that Advocate Roy’s attack is indicative of a broader trend of intimidation.
The situation remains tense as the Hindu minority in Bangladesh continues to face significant socio-political challenges, with calls for justice and protection growing louder amid ongoing protests and unrest.
