The Indian National Congress has expressed deep concern over the atmosphere of insecurity faced by religious minorities in Bangladesh.
On Wednesday, November 27, Congress urged the central government to appeal to the Bangladesh government to “take necessary steps and ensure the security of life and property of minorities in the country.”
This statement followed the arrest of Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das, an ISKCON monk, on sedition charges.
“The Indian National Congress expects the Government of India to prevail upon the Bangladesh government to take necessary steps to ensure the security of life and property of minorities in the country,” said Pawan Khera, chairman of the party’s media and publicity department, in a statement.
“The arrest of the ISKCON monk is the latest example,” the statement added.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has also expressed “deep concern” over the arrest and denial of bail for Das, urging Bangladeshi authorities to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and other minority groups in the country.
In response, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs sharply criticized these remarks, calling them unfounded and contrary to the spirit of friendship between the two nations. Dhaka also reaffirmed its stance that it does not interfere in the independent workings of its judiciary.
Meanwhile, ISKCON has urged India to take immediate action and engage with Bangladesh for the release of Das. The organization has vehemently rejected allegations linking it to terrorist activities globally, calling such claims baseless and unacceptable.
Additionally, tensions escalated as a lawyer was killed on Tuesday during violent clashes between security forces and followers of Das. The spokesperson for the Bangladesh Sammilita Sanatani Jagran Jote had been arrested a day earlier at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka.