'UN Must Intervene To Save Minorities': ISKCON Spokesman On Hindu Monk’s Arrest In Bangladesh

Last Updated:November 26, 2024, 13:59 IST

Radharaman Das said Chinmoy Krishna Das Prabhu was being punished for leading a peaceful protest in Bangladesh to seek protection for the Hindu community

Monk Chinmoy Krishna Das Prabhu has been denied bail in Bangladesh. (Screenshot)

The arrest of Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) monk and Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das Prabhu in Bangladesh has sparked a furore and wave of violent protests in the neighbouring country, with many in India terming it an affront to Bangladesh’s Hindu community.

Radharaman Das, spokesman of ISKCON, spoke to CNN-News18 on the arrest and asked for the United Nations to intervene in the Bangladesh issue.

Edited excerpts:

How did you come to know about his arrest?

I got call from Chinmoy Prabhu’s assistant who said some people came to the entry gate of the Dhaka airport at around 3.30pm on Monday and took him away to an undisclosed location, saying they are from the Bangladesh Detective Department. They were not dressed in police clothes and we have no idea where he is.

What’s the current situation?

We are getting information that he will be produced in court. Nothing is clear. Hindus have started protesting in Bangladesh but are being attacked. We have heard that people have taken to the roads to demand Prabhu’s release but they are being attacked by the majority and even the police are not helping them.

Any idea where he has been kept?

We are in the dark but we came to know that they did not even give food to him. We give our God food and then eat. Also, we don’t eat outside food. It has been over 18 hours and he has been kept hungry is what we have been told.

Why do you think he has been arrested?

The police haven’t communicated anything. Four lakh people came out in Bangladesh some days ago after his call and protested very peacefully seeking protection. He is leading the protest. First a sedition case was slapped against him and now he has been arrested.

You have a message for the people?

The whole world can see what’s happening. The people there are very helpless. There are around three crore minorities in Bangladesh but no one is giving importance to them. We urge the United Nations to intervene in the issue.

Dhaka, Bangladesh

News india 'UN Must Intervene To Save Minorities': ISKCON Spokesman On Hindu Monk’s Arrest In Bangladesh