In Chittagong, Bangladesh, a chaotic crowd chanted slogans and vandalized three Hindu temples following Friday prayers. Protests and violence erupted after ISKCON's former member and Hindu saint, Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, was accused of treason and arrested. Local news portal BDNews24.com reports the attack on Hindu temples in Harish Chandra Munsef Lane occurred around 2:30 PM on Friday.
The crowd targeted the Shantneshwari Matri Temple, Shoni Temple, and Shantneshwari Kalibari Temple. Temple officials reported that a group of several hundred people hurled stones and bricks, damaging the gates of Shoni Temple and two other temples. Abdul Karim, Chief of Kotwali Police Station, confirmed the attack and noted efforts to harm the temples, though police stated significant damage was not incurred during the clash involving both groups.
All temple doors were shut before noon
Tapan Das from the Shantineshwari Temple Management Committee shared with bdnews24.com, 'Following Friday prayers, a procession of hundreds began chanting slogans against Hindus and ISKCON. We did not stop the attackers. As tensions heightened, we requested military assistance, which promptly arrived to aid in restoring order. All temple doors were closed before noon. Unexpected attackers launched an assault without provocation.' Former member of Bangladesh's International Society of Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) and spiritual leader Chinmoy Krishna Das was arrested on treason charges on November 25. Chittagong's court denied him bail.
Protests erupted by the Hindu community, advocating for Chinmoy Krishna Das's release across Bangladesh, including in the capital Dhaka and Chittagong. On October 30, during a Hindu community rally, accusations of disrespecting Bangladesh's national flag led to sedition charges against Chinmoy Krishna Das and 18 others at Chittagong’s Kotwali Police Station. India’s Ministry of External Affairs expressed concern over the arrest and bail denial, urging Bangladesh to ensure the safety of Hindus and other minorities.
Rising diplomatic tension between Bangladesh and India
Ongoing anti-Hindu incidents in Bangladesh have intensified diplomatic strains between the two South Asian neighbors. India stated on November 29 that a surge in hateful rhetoric and temple attacks against the Hindu community had occurred in recent days. India expressed grave concerns and called on Bangladesh's interim government to defend the safety of all minorities.
Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar told Parliament that India has seriously addressed incidents of violence against minorities in Bangladesh. He emphasized that protecting the lives and liberties of all citizens, including minorities, is Dhaka’s primary obligation. Conversely, Bangladesh expressed deep concern over violent protests at its Deputy High Commission in Kolkata and urged New Delhi to ensure the security of all its diplomatic missions in India.
