2 More Hindu Monks Arrested In Bangladesh, Indian National Brutally Thrashed

Last Updated:December 01, 2024, 20:13 IST

Hindus have been subjected to attacks under the Yunus government in Bangladesh for months. An Indian tourist was brutally attacked by an Islamic group.

Protest rally in Kolkata (PTI Image)

In a continued action against the Hindu community in Bangladesh, two more ISKCON monks were arrested in Chattogram when they went to deliver food to Chinmoy Krishna Das, whose arrest led to widespread protests in the country, including strong voices from India.

This comes as a flurry of attacks on the Hindu community in the neighbouring nation in recent months which also included vandalisation of temples and idols of deities. On November 25, Chinmoy Krishna Das was arrested on sedition charges alleging disrespect to the national flag. He was also denied bail by the court, drawing a sharp reaction from India which urged the Yunus government to ensure the safety of minorities.

Who Are Two Hindu Monks Arrested?

The latest arrests of two monks – Rudraproti Kesab Das, and Ranga Nath Syama Sundor Das – have drawn the ire of the minority community and also from the priests and politicians in India.

Society of Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) Kolkata’s Vice-President and spokesperson Radharaman Das questioned the move to arrest the monks and said that ISKCON devotees in over 150 countries will gather to chant and pray for the safety of Bangladeshi minorities.

“In over 150 countries and countless cities and towns, millions of ISKCON devotees worldwide will come together this Sunday, 1st December, to pray and chant for the safety and security of Bangladeshi minorities. Please join your local #ISKCON temple or congregation. Hare Krishna!" Radharaman Das tweeted.

Reacting to the plight of minorities in Bangladesh, Governing Body Commissioner (GBC), ISKCON, Gauranga Das said, “Today, the kirtan that we organise every Sunday – it will be done for the safety and protection of all the devotees of Bangladesh – for all the Hindus and minorities there".

BJP Reacts To Monks’ Arrests

Union Minister and West Bengal BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar condemned the arrest calling it “against the values of justice". He sought their immediate release and advocated raising voice for religious freedom.

“Saddened to hear about the arrest of another ISKCON monk, Brahmachari Shyam Das, by the Bangladesh Police. He was detained while visiting Chinmoy Krishna Prabhu, who was recently taken into custody. Such actions against peaceful religious figures and the Hindu minority in Bangladesh are deeply concerning. This goes against the values of justice and harmony that we all stand for," he tweeted.

“I urge the Bangladesh government to release these monks immediately and ensure the protection of minority communities. It is important for all of us to speak up for justice and religious freedom," the Minister added.

Indian Attacked In Bangladesh

Meanwhile, Sayan Ghosh, a tourist hailing from West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas, was brutally attacked while visiting a friend in Bangladesh on November 23 by a group. He somehow managed to return back to India with injuries on his head and face after he was refused admission to a hospital.

“On the day when I was supposed to return, my friend asked me to accompany him to the market. A Muslim group came and demanded to know about my home and religion in the market. When they came to know that I was an Indian and a Hindu, they dragged me and attacked me with a knife. They snatched my phone and money and struck my head with a rock. My friend tried to stop them and they snatched his phone as well. After they fled, I called an ambulance and they also questioned my identity," he said.

Sayan further said it took him four hours to reach the hospital, after which it denied him admission. He was also turned away from a police station and a private nursing home. Additionally, some people reportedly came to his friend’s house and threatened them. “I somehow managed to come back. I request the Indian government to please help those who are stuck there," he added.

His father Sukanto Ghosh told the media that in lieu of reports of terrorism and anti-Hindu activities in the neighbouring country, he had earlier warned Sayan not to go in Bangladesh. Sukanto said his son was in a state of deep shock after the incident and his family was worried and planned to inform the High Commissioner about the attack.

Several Hospitals Deny Health Services To Bangladeshis

Many hospitals are refusing to provide health services to Bangladeshi patients. Kolkata’s JN Ray Hospital announced the move as a mark of protest against the atrocities against the Hindus in Bangladesh. The latest in this list is Tripura’s ILS Hospital which declared not to extend its services to Bangladeshis.

Protests Held In India

Several protesters of Sanatani Unity Forum were injured while security forces resorted to lathicharge to prevent members of the forum from moving towards the Sutarkhandi Indo Bangladesh international border gate at Sribhumi district of south Assam.

The forum had organised ‘Chalo Bangladesh’ against the atrocities on Hindus in the neighbouring country. Several security personnel too suffered injuries in the scuffle.

Dhaka, Bangladesh

News world 2 More Hindu Monks Arrested In Bangladesh, Indian Brutally Thrashed