Bangladeshi Hindus Under Attack: The arrest of Hindu spiritual leader Chinmoy Krishna Das in Bangladesh has been "misconstrued" and he was arrested on specific charges, Dhaka has told a United Nations (UN) forum on minority issues, asserting that there has been no systematic attack on minority communities in the country.

"With utter dismay, we note that the arrest of Chinmoy Das has been misconstrued by some speakers, although he was actually arrested on specific charges. The matter is being dealt with by our court of law," Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN Offices and other international organisations in Geneva Tareq Md Ariful Islam said.

The Bangladeshi diplomat made the statement during the 17th session of the Forum on Minorities Issues that took place in Geneva on November 28-29. During the session, Islam further said that "there was no systematic attack on minorities" in Bangladesh.

Chinmoy Das, the leader of Hindu group 'Sammilita Sanatani Jote', was arrested from Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Monday. His arrest sparked protests by his supporters in both Dhaka and Chattogram. A violent clash between Chinmoy Das's supporters and security forces outside a court in Chattogram left a public prosecutor dead.

The clash broke out when the monk's supporters surrounded the prison van that was carrying him after the court denied bail and remanded him to custody. Chinmoy Das, who was once associated with ISKCON, faces sedition and other charges over allegations that he disrespected Bangladesh's national flag during a rally in Chattogram.

The arrest came amidst growing calls from a section of Bangladesh's populace, especially from radical quarters, to ban ISKCON in the country. Chinmoy Das has, in recent months, emerged as one of the leading faces of resistance within the minority Hindu community in Bangladesh, where minorities have faced increasing atrocities at the hands of radical Islamists ever since the ouster of Sheikh Hasina from the helm of the government in August this year.

Following this week's anti-Hindu incidents -- including Das's arrest and attacks on Hindu temples and community members -- India on Friday called upon the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government of Bangladesh to live up to its responsibility of "protecting all minorities". New Delhi also highlighted the recent "surge" in extremist rhetoric in Bangladesh.

"We see ISKCON as a globally well-regarded organisation with a strong record of social service," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, adding that India hopes for just, fair and transparent proceedings in the case relating to Das. "We hope and expect that these processes will deal with the case in a just, fair and transparent manner, ensuring full respect for the legal rights of all concerned," MEA Official Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at a press briefing.

(With inputs from agencies)