Release Chinmoy Das Prabhu Immediately, Demands Ex-Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina

New Delhi: Ousted Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina came down heavily on the present dispensation in her country for arresting Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das Prabhu.

Calling his arrest ‘unjust’, Hasina said the ISKCON monk must be released ‘immediately’.

She called on the interim Bangladesh government, headed by Nobel laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus, to protect religious and ethnic minorities that have been the target of violent attacks since Hasina’s ouster from power in August.

“A top leader of the Sanatan Dharma community has been unjustly arrested, he must be released immediately. Temples have been burned in Chittagong. In the past, mosques, shrines, churches, monasteries and houses of the Ahmadiyya community have been attacked, vandalized, looted and set on fire. Religious freedom and security of life and property of people of all communities must be ensured,” the Awami League posted Hasina’s statement on X.

Hasina was forced to flee Bangladesh following weeks of nationwide violence amid students’ protests against reservations in government jobs. After resigning as PM, Hasina escaped from Dhaka in a military aircraft and sought refuge in New Delhi.

“After the killing of countless Awami League leaders, activists, students, the public and members of the law enforcement agencies, harassment through attacks, cases and arrests is going on. I strongly condemn and protest these anarchist actions,” Hasina stated.

“A lawyer was killed in Chittagong, I strongly protest this murder. Those involved in this murder must be found and punished quickly. Human rights have been grossly violated through this incident. A lawyer went to perform his professional duties, and those who beat him to death in this way are terrorists. Whoever they are, they must be punished,” she demanded.

“If the Yunus government, which seized power unconstitutionally, fails to punish these terrorists, then it will also have to face punishment for violating human rights. I appeal to the countrymen to stand united against this kind of terrorism and militancy. It is important to ensure the safety of the lives and property of the common people,” Hasina added.

Chinmoy Prabhu, arrested on Monday after one Md Feroze Khan filed a case against him and 18 others for hoisting a saffron flag above the Bangladesh national flag during a rally, was denied bail.