Hindu monk and spokesperson of “Bangladesh Sammilito Sanatani Jagaran Jote,” Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, who has been imprisoned for almost two years for speaking out against the persecution of Hindus in the country, once again made headlines after being granted five hours to attend his mother’s funeral.
However, the 71-year-old woman passed away without fulfilling her last wish of meeting her son, as the authorities had turned down the family’s request for parole to allow him to visit her in her last moments.
Das was arrested in November 2024
Das, a former member of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), was apprehended when the jihadis, encouraged by the tacit support of the Muhammad Yunus government, attacked Hindus and their sacred sites, resulting in killings, rapes, looting, vandalism and terrorising the minority community, particularly after the forced ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
He persistently voiced his concerns and presided over peaceful demonstrations against the violence, insecurity and discrimination experienced by Hindus following the political upheaval in August 2024. However, his activism seemed to have displeased both the government and the radicals. Hence, he was arrested a few months later, on 25th November, under the pretext of sedition charges.
He was accused of disrespecting Bangladesh’s national flag during a massive rally to demand minority rights and security, which was organised at Chittagong’s historic Laldighi Maidan on 25th October. The speakers pushed for the implementation of an eight-point agenda, which included the creation of a minority affairs ministry, the passing of a law protecting minorities and the prompt trial of cases involving minority persecution.
They also denounced the government’s failure to bring charges against the perpetrators of attacks on Hindu homes and places of worship. However, a complaint was lodged by Firoz Khan, former general secretary of Mohora ward unit of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), against Das and 18 others on 31st October. He asserted that a saffron flag had been hoisted above the national flag of Bangladesh at the “Independence Monument” by them.
Interestingly, Das had delivered a speech at a sizable agitation in Rangpur, criticising the rise in attacks on Hindus nationwide on 22nd November. As a result, the opportunity was provided to the authorities on a platter, and they took Das into custody at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka. He was handed over to Chattogram Metropolitan Police by Dhaka Metropolitan Detective Police because the case was lodged in Chattogram.
Bail denied as court premises descend into chaos and violence
On 26th November, the Chattogram Sixth Metropolitan Magistrate Court’s Judge Shariful Islam denied his bail petition and sentenced him to prison in connection with the treason charge after more than an hour-long hearing, but his lawyer Dilip Kumar Nath informed, “The court has rejected the bail petition. We will file a miss case tomorrow.”
However, circumstances took a turn for the worse when unrest erupted in the court building area. According to reports, 32-year-old Saiful Islam Alif, who was the public prosecutor against Das, was taken from his chambers and assaulted, resulting in his death. At least 10 people were also injured as clashes unfolded, and police, along with members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), fired sound grenades and utilised batons against the people. The authorities also employed truncheons to disperse the crowd.
Das also addressed his followers and expressed, “We are not against the state and the government. We, the Sanatanis, are a part of the state. We will not do anything to destabilise the state and destroy peaceful coexistence. We will hold a peaceful protest by controlling our emotions and turning them into strength.”
Subsequently, Das, the former head of Pundarik Dham in Chattogram, faced multiple charges, including murder, attempted murder and vandalism, totalling six criminal cases aimed at keeping him behind bars because he consistently protested against the oppression of his community.
It is noteworthy that a bail hearing scheduled for December had to be postponed by a month since no defence counsel could represent him due to extreme physical intimidation, threats and protests after Saiful Islam’s demise.
ISKCON offers clarification
Meanwhile, Islamists began to demand a ban on ISKCON, which defended itself and stated, “Several months ago, Leelaraj Gour Das, Gaurang Das and Chinmoy Krishna Das were removed from their positions and all organisational activities within ISKCON due to violations of discipline.” The action was reportedly taken in July 2024.
However, it emphasised, “ISKCON has not, and does not, distance itself from supporting his rights and freedom to peacefully call for protecting Hindus and their places of worship. We also support, along with all other Sanatani groups, protection and safety of Hindus, and re-establishing an atmosphere of peaceful coexistence with minorities in Bangladesh. Many of our press statements and interviews have made this fully clear.”
“It was clearly stated that their actions are not representative of ISKCON. There are ongoing attempts to wrongly associate ISKCON Bangladesh with the death of lawyer Saiful Islam Alif in Chittagong. We want to make it clear that ISKCON Bangladesh has no involvement in this tragic event or the ongoing protests,” the group further conveyed.
Indian government’s sharp reaction
The government of India raised a strong objection regarding the arrest and the denial of bail to Das. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) highlighted, “We have noted with deep concern the arrest and denial of bail to Shri Chinmoy Krishna Das, who is also the spokesperson of the Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatan Jagran Jote. This incident follows the multiple attacks on Hindus and other minorities by extremist elements in Bangladesh.”
It outlined that there were several documented instances of theft, vandalism and destruction of temples and deities, as well as fire and looting of residences and commercial buildings belonging to the marginalised community.
The statement further read, “It is unfortunate that while the perpetrators of these incidents remain at large, charges should be pressed against a religious leader presenting legitimate demands through peaceful gatherings. We also note with concern the attacks on minorities protesting peacefully against the arrest of Das. We urge Bangladesh authorities to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and all minorities, including their right to freedom of peaceful assembly and expression.”
Another bail plea rejected after just 30 minutes of arguments
Judge Saiful Islam again heard the submissions from the prosecution and defence on 2nd January 2025. However, he decided to deny bail to Das after around half an hour of arguments, reported The Daily Star. The proceedings occurred under strict security measures, which involved military personnel, as an outraged Islamist mob gathered at the court premises.
“During the hearing, we told the court that the allegations against him are not true. There are no such elements in the case that can prove him guilty. We also told the court that permission from the Home Ministry was not taken before filing the FIR (first information report) with the police,” outlined Apurba Kumar Bhattacharjee, who represented Das. According to Bhattacharjee, they intended to file an appeal for his client’s bail with the High Court.
On the other hand, Metropolitan Public Prosecutor Mofizul Haque Bhuiyan contended, “Sedition is a non-bailable offence, and it carries a punishment of life imprisonment. We told the court that the case is being investigated and no report has been submitted yet. We opposed the bail petition, presenting our points, and the court denied bail to Chinmoy after hearing our arguments.”
Apurba led a group of 11 Supreme Court attorneys who defended Das, but they had to depart the court grounds in two microbuses escorted by police due to intimidation by the radicals who carried out a procession to celebrate the verdict.
Supreme Court stayed High Court decision to grant bail to Das
On 30th April of that year, the Bangladesh Supreme Court’s Appellate Division stayed the high court ruling to grant bail to Das in the sedition case. Additional Attorney General Barrister Aneek R Haque had challenged the judgement shortly after it was pronounced by the bench of Justices Ali Reza and Atoar Rahman.
The court suspended the bail until the certified copy of the order was released and a regular leave-to-appeal petition was put forth. However, the declaration was made in the absence of Das’s attorney.
Charges framed against Das in Saiful Islam death case
On 19th January 2026, 39 people, including Das, were charged by a Chattogram court in the death case of Saiful Islam. Judge Zahidul Haque of the Chattogram Speedy Trial Tribunal allegedly looked into the case summary, charge sheet, CCTV footage and the confessional testimonies prior to his decision. The court scheduled the recording of witness testimonies for 2nd February.
Sections 302 and 109 of the Penal Code were invoked against Das, while the others were booked under sections 147, 448, 449, 302 and 34. Das personally gave a 25-minute statement in front of the court during the proceedings. Afterwards, tensions broke out as Das was targeted while being removed from the courtroom under strict police protection.
The court premises was subjected to high-level security measures before the hearing. Members of the army, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) were deployed with about 1,000 police officers. Vehicle traffic was prohibited from the Kotwali intersection to the court’s main entrance and up to the Cinema Palace intersection.
Only solicitors and relevant officials were permitted entry into the courtroom following identity verification. The steps were taken considering the presence of the aggressive mobs, which include lawyers and regularly assemble on court grounds during these hearings.
High Court rejects bail petition of Das
On 10th May, the bail petition submitted by Das in the death case of Saiful Islam was refused by the High Court, which also postponed its decision on four additional bail requests. His counsel pressed for bail on health grounds, but state prosecutors objected, stressing that the allegations were grave and the trial continues to be underway.
Das’s attorney stated that bail requests had been submitted in five different cases concerning the death of Saiful Islam, attack on police, damaging vehicles and other similar accusations. He approached the High Court last year after failing to obtain bail in lower courts.
Das stays incarcerated despite eventually securing bail in two cases
On 2nd August, Das secured bail in two separate cases by the High Court, but his immediate release was stalled because he had been implicated in four other cases. “The (two-judge) High Court bench granted his bail petition in two cases involving charges of murder attempts, vandalism and obstructing officials in performing their duties,” shared his lawyer Apurba Kumar Bhattacharya.
Das produced two separate petitions for bail, which were heard before the decision was delivered. The cases were lodged in Chattogram’s Kotwali Police Station.
Chattogram court denies bail to Das
On 20th August, Judge Fazle Khoda Mohammad Nazir of the Chattogram Divisional Speedy Trial Tribunal denied Das’s plea for bail. The latter virtually participated in the hearing, while the others were brought before the court under high security. Two distinct petitions were submitted for him, including one which asked for more time to cross-examine the third prosecution witness, while the other sought his bail. The tribunal refused to accept the petitions after hearing arguments from both parties.
Das awarded bail, but release remained blocked
On 6th September, Das was granted bail in two other matters by the High Court, but he continues to be in jail in two other cases and thus cannot be released. Justice KM Zahid Sarwar and Justice Sheikh Abu Taher announced the verdict after hearings on two distinct petitions submitted by him.
The charges related to vandalism and obstructing the police from carrying out their responsibilities were submitted to the Kotwali Police Station in Chattogram. The High Court and the lower courts have granted him bail in five cases thus far, one of which has been put on hold by the Supreme Court’s Appellate Division.
Conclusion
Das’s situation has been exacerbated by repeated court deferrals, threats against his counsel and various intimidation tactics. The magnitude of the prevailing climate of fear can be gauged by the necessity of transforming the courts into fortified bastions to avert any unfortunate incidents caused by the violent mobs who hold him accountable for the death of Saiful Islam, a claim that has not been validated in any court of law in Bangladesh.
His religious identity apparently has made him a target, much like other minorities in the country. His efforts to speak up for the rights of his community have only made him more vulnerable to such attacks. The nation appears to adhere to the twisted principle of “jail is the rule, bail is the exception” for persons from the Hindu community.
Additionally, the fact that he was not permitted to visit his dying mother, despite her repeated pleas, adds an especially heartbreaking chapter to his ordeal and underscores the harsh reality endured by Hindus in the country. More importantly, this man has been singled out while Islamist mobs have been on a rampage against the community, slaughtering them and even demanding jizya, as well as creating a hellish existence for them in Bangladesh.
However, Das touching the feet of the Radha-Krishna idol at Pundarik Dham temple with tears in his eyes before returning to jail is a powerful reminder that his faith and resilience remain unshaken. He is steadfast in his convictions despite the intensely adversarial environment, akin to many other Hindus in the country.
