Kolkata: The arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, a monk affiliated with the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) and the ongoing rise in violence against Hindus in Bangladesh, have sparked strong reactions from Indian political figures. They are urging immediate action from both the Indian government and international organizations.
West Bengal’s Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee voiced her support for the central government’s stance on the issue. Speaking in the state legislative assembly, she said, “We do not want any religion to suffer harm. I have communicated with ISKCON in Bengal. Since this concerns a foreign nation, the central government must take appropriate steps. We stand with them in this matter.”
TMC condemns attacks
On Wednesday, senior leaders of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), including MP Abhishek Banerjee and veteran leader Saugata Roy, strongly condemned the attacks on Hindus. Abhishek Banerjee urged the Indian government to take decisive action and he called the situation in Bangladesh “deeply unfortunate.”
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Union Minister Giriraj Singh condemned the violence. He said the interim government in Bangladesh was under the influence of fundamentalists. He called on the United Nations to intervene and described the treatment of Hindus and the arrest of religious leaders as “inhumane and unacceptable.” Singh also criticised the Opposition for their perceived double standards. He alleed that they were indifferent to communal violence.
Arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das
On Monday, the Bangladesh Police detained ISKCON monk Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari near Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. His arrest, along with the ongoing attacks against minority communities, has increased tensions between the two countries.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs expressed its “deep concern” over the monk’s detention and the refusal to grant him bail. It urged Bangladesh to take steps to ensure the safety of its minority communities. BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra reinforced India’s stance, stating, “We stand by the position taken by the government on this matter.”
Opposition criticises govt
Opposition figures, however, have been critical of the government’s response. Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi questioned the effectiveness of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s diplomatic efforts. He said that India’s influence in the region is diminishing. He asked, “Why is the Prime Minister silent while Hindus in Bangladesh continue to face persecution?”
