Bangladesh says, ‘ We are probing if there is any conspiracy both at home and abroad to destabilize the interim government’,even as India indulges in brazen intervention in the internal affairs of Bangladesh
Supporters of Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, also known as Krishna Das Prabhu, of ISCON surrounded the van carrying the leader soon after a Bangladesh court ordered him detained, pending further proceedings in Chittagong on Nov 26 Tuesday. (Photo firstpost.com). He is a leader of Hindu group Sammilita Sanatani Jote.
This Report surveys the grave and worsening situation in Bangladesh, amid fears of a conspiracy against, and destabilization of, the interim govt formed in the wake of massive student revolt. Within hours of denial of bail to Das, India’s Foreign Ministry surprisingly entered the fray, raising questions about protection of minorities by Bangladesh. How India is treating its own minorities is notorious, but it brooks no questions by any country.
The detention in Bangladesh of a Hindutva monk, massive and violent protests against it by Hindutva crowds; one Assistant Public Prosecutor of Bangladesh, a Muslim, being killed, hacked, within court premises, amid the violent protests by Hindutva zealots; the Indian Foreign Ministry issuing a hurried statement against the Bangla govt; one Union Minister even calling for UN intervention; Hindutva forces organizing protests far and wide in India condemning the Bangla govt, and calling for intervention by Modi regime; ousted and exiled former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheik Hasina joining the chorus – all in a matter of 2-3 days, inflamed the Bangla polity in a grave and ominous manner. As if this was not enough, the Trump lobbies backed the Hindutva protesters and publicly damned the Yunus-led administration. Bangla-India flights are being cancelled, India tightened Visas, Business groups are under pressure. Two hospitals,one in Kolkata and another in Tripura announced they would not treat Bangladeshis. Politics of hatred are fanned, and Bengal elections would witness worst of it all.
In the wake of all this nascent and aggravating turmoil, the ‘Bangladesh interim govt is probing if there is any conspiracy both at home and abroad to destabilise the interim government’, said Nahid Islam, information adviser, Bangladesh leading newspaper thedailystar.net reported, Tue Nov 26, 2024.
“The Bangladesh government believes that the chaos and vandalism in different parts of the capital that happened in the last two days may be part of a bigger plan, he said: “It is not a coincidence that so many incidents happened in just one day…Many do not want to see the government function successfully…Attacks, vandalism and battery will not be tolerated,” he said.
Conspiracy? “We can tell you that only after the investigation. It is natural that the previous fascist government would conspire to make the interim government non-functional,” Nahid said. Two advisers of the interim government spoke at a briefing of the chief adviser’s press wing at the Foreign Service Academy Nov 25. (Dailystar, Bangladesh)
BJP top brass condemned the Congress and opposition parties for not reacting to ‘Hindu oppression’ in Bangladesh, and instead creating a stalemate on flimsy issues (like Adani controversy). The fact is: Opposition , Congress in particular, spoke in Hindutva refrain, and blamed the Modi govt for weakness. Thus Hindutva politics are increasingly bi-partisan and assume a cross-border dimension.
New Delhi is obviously fishing in troubled waters; nay, it is troubling the waters to engage in fishing..
“Move troops to the Bangladesh border if needed Bangladesh to protect Hindus,” says an Indian in his comment, which mirrors the gravity of the situation. Indo-Bangla border, longest at 4096 km, is being projected by Modi-Sha duo as a “security threat” to India. 80 percent of that is fenced off, heavily watched, but still “infiltrators” were projected as a grave threat in election campaigns : “ghuspaithias are out to grab your roti beti maati” (food, daughters and land) was the alarmist, chauvinist message they cooked up. It is ironic that lakhs of illegal Indian infiltrators are pushing into USA. Gujaratis are half of them.
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Arrest, denial of bail, well organized protests : notable details
Admittedly, Das was not merely a Hindu monk arrested: Citing Sanatani Jagran Jote’s key organiser, Gaurang Das Brahmachari, Bdnews24 news portal said that Das, Sanatani leader, was supposed to go to Chattogram by air from Dhaka, for a rally. Earlier on October 30, a case was filed against 19 people, including Das, at Chattogram’s Kotwali Police Station, accusing them of disrespecting Bangladesh’s national flag in Chattogram’s New Market area during a rally of the Hindu community.
economictimes.indiatimes.com, Nov 26, 2024,corroborated:
“Synopsis : An Iskcon priest was arrested on Nov 25 in Dhaka. He was detained at the airport. He is accused of disrespecting the Bangladeshi flag. A saffron flag was placed over the national flag during a rally. The priest is one of several facing sedition charges.”
Das was promptly taken to the court around 10:30am on 26th. “The court of Chattogram Sixth Metropolitan Magistrate Kazi Shariful Islam issued the order around 11:45 am,” Bdnews24 reported. “The court also instructed the jail authorities to provide him with divisional facilities and allow adherence to his religious practices, following a petition from his lawyers.”
But within minutes..
“ Following the court order, lawyers who support him and his followers burst into protests outside the courtroom and stopped the prison van that was taking Chinmoy to jail. They also punctured a tire of the vehicle. Senior police officials requested the protesters to clear the way, but they refused to comply.
Violent protests right at the court, Public prosecutor hacked to death
“ According to the city’s police, more than 2,000 supporters surrounded the van and blocked its path for some time when Das was being escorted back to prison from court.
The demonstrators threw bricks at the police and officers fired tear gas to disperse the crowds, said Chittagong Metropolitan Police Commissioner Hasib Aziz…Das’s arrest set off protests by his supporters in both Chittagong, the country’s second-largest city, and the capital, Dhaka.
Mark, within hours, reported India Today, by 17:29 IST, Nov 26, 2024..violent protests broke out, in the court premises, and at several places in Bangladesh, and India too, blaming widespread persecution of Hindus, an utter exaggeration. They were obviously well orchestrated.
The kind of lynchings, demolitions and bulldozer justice experienced by India’s minorities, Muslims in particular, are not seen in Bangladesh. There were indeed some incidents against Hindus, but they were political, aimed at Hindus who were supporters of Sheik Hasina, and they included Muslims too. And they took place mostly in the first four days after Hasina fled to India, and came down later. There were 2010 such incidents, small and big, during Aug 5-20, claimed Bangladesh Hindu Christian Unity Council, but only 57 between Aug 22 and Oct 12. Senior journalist, former BJP MP, Swapan Dasgupta quoted the figures (TOI Dec 1, 2024).
In fact, this year Durga Puja pandals in Bangladesh exceeded the number (33,431) last year, reported Times of India (12-9-2024). The festival passed off peacefully, without any serious incidents, protected by state agencies as also leaders of the mass revolt.
We had top courts in India denying bail even years after detention, often without charge-sheets and trials, which took years to commence (Anand Teltumbde etc in cooked-up cases like Elgar Parishad). We saw handicapped (GN Saibaba) condemned to isolation in anda cells, old and sick (Vara vara rao, 80 plus etc) being confined,and denial of a sipper for an old priest-activist Stan swamy,who died in jail. Bangladesh courts are not that bad as of now.
The Hindu minorities went aggressive, right inside court premises, as per reports:
“Bangladesh: Hindu leader Chinmay Prabhu arrested, mob fury surges, students clash & destroy colleges,” reported Economic Times, ET Online, 26 Nov 2024.
The Dhaka Tribune reported:
“ After the court order, law enforcement agencies, including police, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and the army, were unable to move the prison van out of the court premises to the jail. As he was being taken away in a police van, Chinmoy Krishna addressed the crowd through a hand mike..”
Chinmoy was heard calling upon his followers to remain calm from inside the bus: “We are not against the state and the government. We, the Sanatanis, are a part of the state.… We will not do anything to destabilise the state and destroy peaceful coexistence. We will hold a peaceful protest by controlling our emotions and turning them into strength,” he said. But protesters went berserk, destroyed vehicles, smashed window panes etc, minutes after the denial of bail.
It was not a one-sided affair where police went berserk:
While police were dispersing the protesters…”This led to a series of chases and counter-chases. Later, as the prison van carrying Chinmoy Krishna was being transported to jail, further confrontations occurred between his followers, police, and lawyers.”
Mohammad Hasan, a lawyer who witnessed the events, said that amidst the clashes, the protesters attacked Saiful IslamAlif , an Asst public prosecutor (govt lawyer), with sharp weapons. Deputy Commissioner of City Police Liaquat Ali confirmed his death. At 6pm, lawyers protested at the court premises against the murder and have called for a work abstention on Nov 27.
Das was not merely a religious figure,as projected: he faces a sedition case at Kotwali police station, and he was arrested in connection with that case. The sedition case stems from a public rally held by Sanatani Jagran Jote at Chittagong’s Laldighi Maidan on October 25. The case filed on October 30, named Chinmoy Krishna and 19 others. (dhakatribune.com, November 28, 2024)
https://www.dhakatribune.com/366326
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India, BJP, Congress, Mamata, Hasina and Trump lobby…all jump into the fray
Hindu activists hold placards and Indian national flags, and protest attacks in Bangladesh on religious places, in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India [Amit Dave/Reuters]. The banner urges, “Send back infiltrators,” obviously Muslims, because CAA facilitates all others. Such shows are being orchestrated at several places in India. It is ironic that lakhs of Gujaratis are among illegal Indian infiltrators into USA, every year.
Meanwhile, BJP across India is also protesting, and planning action at the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission’s office. RSS is organizing protests. VHP called for a two-day protest.
India hurriedly jumped into the fray, and soon followed others.
Within hours after bail was denied by the court, as if waiting in the wings, Delhi jumped in, with a statement by Foreign Ministry:
“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 statement said.
“It is unfortunate that while the perpetrators of these incidents remain at large, charges should be pressed against a religious leader presenting legitimate demands through peaceful gatherings. We also note with concern the attacks on minorities protesting peacefully against the arrest of Shri Das,” the MEA said.
“We urge Bangladesh authorities to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and all minorities, including their right of freedom of peaceful assembly and expression,” the MEA statement added. ( hindustantimes.com, Nov 26, 2024 04:21 PM IST)
Fact is: Das is a rabble-rouser. The demands are controversial, and similar demands in today’s India are inconceivable, as we discussed earlier (Nov 3 article) and shall see later. Thus the boot is on the other foot.
Bangladesh’s foreign ministry, responding to India, said the government does not interfere in the judiciary’s work, and the matter was being dealt with by the court of law.
No police excesses, Govt clarifies..
Local Government Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain said law enforcers did not show heavy-handedness in preventing clashes between students in Old Dhaka and Jatrabari to avoid a direct confrontation with the pupils. He said if police attacked the students, it could create an untoward incident. Now, however, the situation is under control. Those who attacked the colleges will be brought to book, he added. Keeping in mind violence and a murder in court premises, Asif said the government is probing the weaknesses in the police force and will take necessary actions…”We admit that police may have shown weaknesses in acting against the protesters, students,” he said… As so many students were engaged in clashes, the police wanted to prevent them without a direct confrontation.”
In the past, he said, police would generally use rubber or live bullets in handling riots. They are now moving away from that approach. They will be trained in a new approach as per the international standard. The chief adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said the interim government, following public expectation, has moved away from the protocol followed by the police in handling riots.
https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/crime-justice/news/plot-afoot-create-unrest-3761811
UN intervention sought over arrest of ISKCON monk in Bangladesh
Union Minister Giriraj Singh, on Nov 27, “referring to recent arrest of ISKCON monk,” said: “The caretaker ‘prime minister’ of Bangladesh is in the clutches of fundamentalists. .. United Nations should intervene in this matter.” He claimed that the targeting of Hindus and the arrest of religious leaders indicates a growing dominance of fundamentalist forces in Bangladesh, drawing parallels to the situation in Pakistan. Singh also exploited Bangladesh for domestic politics: He accused the Opposition leaders of double standards, criticising their failure to address communal violence in a balanced manner. (TOI, Nov 27, 2024)
We know how touchy India is when it comes to crimes in Kashmir, despite UN Resolutions on the subject. A case of brazen double standards!
Not to be left behind the Hindutva brigade, the Opposition has sharply criticised the government’s response to the situation. Congress leader from Assam, Gaurav Gogoi rabidly questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s diplomatic approach, asking, “India’s influence in its neighbourhood is waning. Why is the Prime Minister silent while Hindus in Bangladesh face persecution?”
Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has expressed her “strong support for the Centre’s position”, says a report. Speaking at the legislative assembly on Nov 28 Thursday, Banerjee reiterated her government’s position saying, “We do not want any religion to be harmed. I have spoken to Iskcon here. Since this concerns another country, the Central government must take relevant action. We stand with them on this issue.” On Wednesday, Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Abhishek Banerjee and senior leader Saugata Roy condemned the violence in Bangladesh.
Iskcon Kolkata, joined the chorus:
A protest at Albert Road ISKCON Temple in Kolkata, over the arrest of a Hindu monk in Bangladesh. (Express photo by Partha Paul)… protests are orchestrated at several places. ISCON called for “solidarity” across the world, through 600 plus centres in 150 countries. Like Zionist movements, Hindutva forces backed by imperialists are promoting global activities. Trump-Modi duo is bent on it.
It is “highly frustrating”, worrying, Iskcon’s Kolkata vice-president and spokesperson Radharaman Das said, he felt extremely helpless for other monks and minorities in the neighbouring country :
Appreciating the ‘strong statement by MEA condemning the arrest and the attacks on the minority Hindu population’ there, he said: “But the reply from Bangladesh govt was as if they were advising Indian govt to mind its own business. It is not only sad but extremely concerning for all minorities living there.”
He revealed the live connection India and Kolakata have with Bangla developments: He “had received calls and videos from monks and other followers in Bangladesh, many of whom were hiding inside ashrams.” If they were monks and peaceable, why hide? Normally such people court arrest.
Das said he was shocked at Bangladesh govt calling Iskcon a fundamentalist organisation and the fact that a petition was filed in the country’s high court seeking a ban on it.
Persons of other religions, like Sikhs, and even Muslims were also roped in:
Satnam Singh Ahluwalia, member of West Bengal Minorities Commission and general secretary of United Interfaith Foundation India, said targeting Das and the minority community in Bangladesh was a grave injustice that must be unequivocally condemned. “As neighbours and advocates of harmony, we, the Indian citizens, stand firmly for the protection of minority rights across borders,” he said. (We never heard him when minorities were suppressed within India’s borders)
Syed Zaki Hasan Rizvi, president of Zainabia Education Centre in Kolkata, said he feared for the safety of all religious minorities in Bangladesh. ” It is imperative for both govts to take firm action to safeguard minority rights and foster an environment of mutual respect and security,” said Rizvi.
(timesofindia.indiatimes.com, Nov 27, 2024)
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Hasina revived, enters the scene
Ousted former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina condemned the interim Yunus government in the wake of unabated violent attacks on the Hindu community..that were triggered after the arrest of Iskcon priest.. Hasina said Das has been “unjustly arrested and must be released immediately“(timesofindia.com,Nov 28, 2024). She also flayed the murder of the lawyer.
The exiled leader,who fled her country arrived in India on a temporary basis. She is facing charges of fascist murders and genocide. Her regime since 2019 was accused of “600 enforced disappearances”, as per Human Rights Watch, and “100 people remain unaccounted for”. She is facing Bangla requests for extradition under a mutually agreed treaty. Hasina was elected in a poll that was rigged, and when major opposition party BNP called for a boycott. Hasina’s chief rival, BNP leader Begum Khalida Zia (aged around 80, ailing with multiple health issues), a former PM (1991-96, and 2001-2006), was sentenced for 17 years (on corruption charges, remember Imran khan,ED cases in India) and imprisoned when the polls were held. Amnesty International had said “her fair trial rights were not respected.”
Hasina was in exile, housed somewhere in Delhi,and wanted by Bangladesh for her crimes. When she fled early in August, she had said she retired from politics, and remained silent ever since. Now, in a statement that Awami League released on behalf of Hasina, she has the temerity to say:
“If the unconstitutionally usurped Yunus government fails to punish these terrorists, it will also face punishment for human rights violations. I appeal to the people of the country to stand united against this kind of terrorism and militancy.”
And she exploited religion, particularly Hindutva, to say:
“It is important to ensure the safety of common people. The current power grabbers are showing failure in all areas. A top leader of the Sanatan religious community has been unjustly arrested, he must be released immediately. A temple has been burnt in Chittagong. Previously, mosques, shrines, churches, monasteries and homes of the Ahmadiyya community were attacked, vandalised and looted. Religious freedom and security of life and property must be ensured for people of all communities.” (timesofindia.com, Nov 28, 2024). A ‘united front’ is in the works!
Hasina greeted Trump soon after his winning the polls. A letter sent on her behalf by Awami League strangely cites her as Prime Minister (Economic Times, Nov 09, 2024.) She expressed her desire to work together “to advance bilateral and multi-lateral interests” And Delhi, hosting her, connives. What does it imply?
Who was behind her statement? India, or Trump lobby?
File photo shared along with the above letter, which cites her close relations with Trump family. Trump and Yunus reportedly were at loggerheads, and Trump would not forget, it is believed. Hasina is out to exploit that, and she is one with Modi, close friend of Trump.
It is anybody’s guess. But see the evidence, and the common, brazen language are telling:
Johnnie Moore, former US Commissioner on International Religious Freedom in both Trump and Biden administrations and President Trump’s former Spiritual Advisor, has said that the Yunus government is failing in curbing the violence against Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh. He also slammed Yunus for claiming that the incidents of violence against Hindus and other minorities were being “exaggerated”. ..”I was astonished …They are saying this is exaggerated. They’re saying that this isn’t as big a deal as it seems,” he added.
“… the way I see it, Muhammad Yunus is failing. .. the rule of law becomes so inefficient that instead of getting due process, a lawyer is killed. This is unbelievable,” Moore was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. He warned “Trump is coming..”
“Bangladesh isn’t just a Muslim country. It’s a Muslim-majority country that has many, many minorities. There isn’t a minority in the country that doesn’t feel under threat right now,” he said.
“..this high-profile arrest has taken place of not just a leader of the Hindu Bangladeshi community, but really a very serious religious figure. I think the perception is if they’ll go after him, they’ll go after any of us,” he said on arrest of the Hindu monk.
“I want to be crystal clear, that the global Christian community stands with the Hindu community in Bangladesh. It is the first responsibility of a government to protect those under threat. The religious minorities of Bangladesh are really feeling it now and they deserve our support…,” Moore added.
Some observers felt it is quite linked with Trump lobby, waiting to occupy the White House. To grasp the import of current, evolving developments, see our earlier article:
‘Bangladesh: Hindutva becomes more ominous, and fuels Trump campaign too
in South Asia’ (03/11/2024.)
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Das, a very serious religious figure, as the US official certifies?
‘Chinmoy Krishna Das: Monk who rose from obscurity to lead Bangladesh Hindus’
That is the title of a report by Yudhajit Shankar Das of indiatoday.in, Nov 28, 2024… Das is a fishy character from all accounts.
“In a span of four months, Chinmoy Krishna Das has become the biggest leader of Hindus in Bangladesh, drawing lakhs of people to his rallies.”
“ Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari rose from obscurity to become the undisputed leader of Hindus in Bangladesh. After getting lakhs to attend his rallies, the monk struck fear in the heart of the caretaker government, which has arrested him in a contentious sedition case. Here’s more about the monk whom Iskcon Bangladesh found too hot to handle.”
From the beginning, it was described as the arrest of a “priest of Iskcon”,The International Society for Krishna Consciousness, with a global presence. Even Sheik Hasina’s statement reported on Nov 28 described him as such. Soon there was confusion, perhaps deliberate.
ISCON later claimed he was “expelled” for indiscipline etc. Even after that, Indian media continued to highlight him as a priest of Iscon, projected as pious and philanthropic. “Expulsion”could be a ploy to escape stringent measures by Bangladesh govt. There was a proposal, and a court petition too, urging a ban on Iscon. We know well how Nathuram Godse, Gandhi killer, was distanced by RSS for record’s sake.
Who created him, and for what purposes may not be known for some time to come.
And ISCON, like all Babas cults and ashrams, has its own notoriety. We shall go into these aspects, among other things, in Part-2 of this article.
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Ramakrishnan is a political observer, who contributed regularly to countercurrents.org.
See also by the same author..
Five eminent citizens Call from Dhaka, Colombo and Kathmandu for an end to Indian interference (15/08/2024)
Bangladesh: Exporting politics of Hindutva and itching for gross interference
in South Asia (01/11/2024)
Bangladesh: Hindutva becomes more ominous, and fuels Trump campaign too
in South Asia, by Ramakrishnan, 03/11/2024
The above article deals with the subject, ‘instrumentalization of religion for political ends’…how the disease extended from India to USA too. In the article, “Bangladesh: Exporting politics of Hindutva and itching for gross interference,” we argued that Hindutva is getting more ominous, and global. Indeed it became so, fast and aggressive, as we see in this article.
