• Source:JND
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Bangladesh Unrest: Protests broke out across various regions in Bangladesh and Kolkata following the imprisonment of ISKCON’s Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, who also serves as a spokesperson for the Bangladesh-based minority group Sanatan Jagran Mancha. Das was sentenced to jail on Tuesday by a Chittagong court on charges of sedition. The protests have sparked significant unrest in the area.

Following Das’ arrest, his supporters surrounded the prison van carrying him while others hurled rocks. After the court ruling, defence attorney Swarup Kanti Nath addressed the media, stating, "During the bail hearing, we argued that the case is groundless and part of a conspiracy. Chinmoy Krishna has not engaged in any anti-state activities. Despite this, the court rejected the bail request but instructed that he be given divisional status in jail."

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According to Bangladeshi news portal bdnews24.com, law enforcement had to use sound grenades to disperse the large crowd of supporters that had gathered outside the court. Even though the crowd cleared from the court area, protests erupted in Chittagong and other parts of Bangladesh, the report added.

Chinmoy Krishna Das Arrest: Here Are The Latest Updates

- Three temples in Chattogram — Lokonath Temple, Mansa Mata Temple, and Kali Mata Temple — were attacked, likely in retaliation for the recent arrest of the Hindu priest. 

- Authorities stated that Saiful Islam Alif, an assistant public prosecutor, was attacked by a Hindu mob inside the court. He was found with severe head injuries and rushed to Chattogram Medical College Hospital (CMCH), where doctors pronounced him dead upon arrival. CMCH Director Brigadier General Mohammed Taslim Uddin confirmed the incident, stating that the victim had sustained hacking wounds to his head.

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- Muhammad Yunus, the 84-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate who took over leadership from Hasina, condemned the murder of the lawyer and called for a thorough investigation. In his statement, he urged the public to remain calm and avoid engaging in any disruptive actions.

- Meanwhile, ISKCON Bangladesh has expressed strong condemnation regarding the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das. The organization has also issued a list of demands to the government led by Muhammad Yunus, urging action against the increasing violence and attacks on Hindus living in Bangladesh. 

- “We urge the government authorities, to promote peaceful coexistence for the Sanatani community" the organisation said in a statement. 

- On Tuesday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in a statement expressed grave concern over the arrest and subsequent denial of bail to Shri Chinmoy Krishna Das.

- “We have noted with deep concern the arrest and denial of bail to Shri Chinmoy Krishna Das, who is also the spokesperson of the Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatan Jagran Jote. This incident follows the multiple attacks on Hindus and other minorities by extremist elements in Bangladesh. There are several documented cases of arson and looting of minorities’ homes and business establishments, as well as theft and vandalism and desecration of deities and temples,” the MEA said.

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