A second Hindu priest arrested in Bangladesh amid protests: ISKCON member detained

Days after the arrest of spiritual leader Chinmoy Krishna Das, another Hindu priest, Shyam Das Prabhu, has been detained by Bangladeshi authorities in Chattogram, sources confirmed on Saturday. Shyam Das Prabhu, who had reportedly visited Chinmoy Krishna Das in jail, was taken into custody without an official warrant, highlighting a practice that allows temporary detainment without formal charges.

Radharamn Das, Vice-President and Spokesperson of ISKCON Kolkata, announced the arrest on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), stating, "Another Brahmachari, Sri Shyam Das Prabhu, was arrested by Chattogram Police today."

Background on Hindu Monk Arrests and Subsequent Violence in Bangladesh

Chinmoy Krishna Das, a former member of the International Society of Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) of Bangladesh, was arrested on Monday in a sedition case. His detainment has sparked widespread protests among the Hindu community in various Bangladeshi cities, including Dhaka and Chattogram.

The denial of bail for Chinmoy Krishna Das by a Chattogram court on Tuesday led to violent clashes between police and protesters. These confrontations resulted in the death of Assistant Public Prosecutor Saiful Islam. In connection with Islam's murder, Bangladesh police have arrested nine individuals after a case was filed against 46 suspects, predominantly from the Hindu community's cleanliness workers.

Amidst these events, three Hindu temples in Chattogram were vandalized by a mob on Friday. The temples—Shantaneshwari Matri Temple, Shoni Temple, and Shantaneshwari Kalibari Temple—were attacked around 2:30 pm in Harish Chandra Munsef Lane. According to BDNews24.com, several hundred attackers damaged the Shoni Temple and the gates of the other two temples.

Kotwali Police Station chief Abdul Karim confirmed the incidents, acknowledging the attempt to damage the temples.

Context of Violence Against Minorities in Bangladesh

The arrests and temple attacks occur amid escalating tensions over minority rights in Bangladesh. The country has experienced significant political violence following the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The new military-backed interim government, led by Mohammed Yunus, has been criticized for its inability to prevent the surge in violence against minorities. Hindus make up approximately 8% of Bangladesh's 170 million population.

Highlighting the severity of the situation, Trinamool Congress National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee urged the Indian government to address the issue with their Bangladeshi counterparts forcefully. He stated, "The onus is on the Union government to take it up with the Bangladesh government in the strongest manner or in the language they understand."

The continuing unrest underscores the urgent need for protective measures for minority communities in Bangladesh and the importance of international diplomatic intervention.