Protests erupt in Dhaka following arrest of ISKCON leader at airport

Mass protests erupted in Dhaka on Nov 25 after the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das, a prominent leader of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in Bangladesh.

Demonstrators gathered in the Shahbag area, calling for the immediate release of Das, a respected spiritual figure and vocal advocate for minority rights in the country.

Das, who oversees the Pundarik Dham in Chittagong—a key Vaishnavite monastery and an integral part of ISKCON in Bangladesh—has been at the forefront of interfaith dialogue.

His efforts to promote communal harmony intensified after the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government in Aug 2024, as he engaged in discussions with multiple political groups, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) stated that Das was arrested based on allegations of disrespecting Bangladesh’s national flag during a rally in Chittagong on Oct 25.

The complaint was filed by Firoz Khan, a former BNP leader, who accused Das and 18 others of misconduct during a Hindu community event. Notably, Khan was later expelled from the BNP for alleged anti-party activities.

Meanwhile, BJP MP Sukanta Majumdar condemned the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Prabhu and called for the intervention of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to " take a serious note of the matter and take urgent steps".

"Chinmoy Prabhu, also known as Sri Chinmay Krishna Das Prabhu, a Sanatani Hindu leader of Bangladesh, a monk of the ISKCON temple, and the voice of Hindu minorities in Bangladesh, has been arrested by Dhaka police for holding a peaceful protest on Monday. As per some media reports, Monk Chinmoy Prabhu was picked up from Dhaka Airport by Dhaka Police on Monday afternoon and he has been taken to the Detective Branch of Dhaka Metropolitan Police," Majumdar said.

"I condemn the unjust arrest of the honourable Chinmoy Prabhu, who has been tirelessly working for the rights of the Sanatani Hindu community in Bangladesh. I urge Dr S JaishankarJi to kindly take a serious note of the matter and take urgent steps," he added.

Das had previously addressed the incident at a press conference, thanking various political parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh, for their support in fostering peace.

However, he criticized the interim government under Prof. Mohammad Yunus, citing its failure to prevent over 3,000 reported attacks on Hindu minorities.

Protests also erupted in Chittagong, where Das, also known as Chandan Kumar Dhar, is based. According to ISKCON's official social media updates, these demonstrations reflect growing concerns over the safety and rights of religious minorities in Bangladesh.

Local media reported that Das was detained at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka while preparing to board a flight to Chattogram.

Witnesses stated that plainclothes officers, identifying themselves as part of the detective branch, apprehended him near the airport entrance.

The arrest has sparked widespread condemnation, with calls for a fair investigation into the allegations. ISKCON supporters and civil society groups are urging the interim government to ensure justice while addressing the broader issue of minority safety in the country.