'Violence against Hindus extremely worrying': Priyanka Gandhi calls for intervention by Centre in Bangladesh

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other Indian leaders expressed concern over the arrest of an ISKCON monk in Bangladesh on sedition charges and ongoing violence against Hindu minorities. The Indian government called upon Bangladesh to ensure the safety and security of minorities, while protests erupted in India demanding the monk's release.

NEW DELHI: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra expressed concern over the ongoing violence against minority Hindus in Bangladesh and the arrest of an ISKCON monk, urging the Indian government to take action. “The news of the arrest of the saint of ISKCON Temple in Bangladesh and the continuing violence against minority Hindus are extremely worrying," Priyanka Gandhi said in a tweet. She called upon the Indian government to intervene, urging it to "strongly raise the issue of ensuring the safety of minorities before the Bangladesh government.

” The incident that sparked outrage involved the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das , a monk from the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), at Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport while he was en route to Chattogram. Das was later presented before a Chittagong court, where his bail plea was denied, and he was sent to jail on charges of sedition. The case, reportedly involving the alleged misuse of Bangladesh's national flag, has drawn criticism, with the complainant later expressing unwillingness to pursue it.

India has expressed "deep concern" over the developments. On Tuesday, the Indian government called upon Bangladeshi authorities to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and other minority groups. The arrest has also sparked protests across India.

In West Bengal, BJP Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari led a demonstration outside the Legislative Assembly, condemning the detention of the ISKCON leader. “All Hindus should take to the streets. This is not just a protest but a fight for the survival of Bangladeshi Hindus,” Adhikari said, announcing plans for a mass protest led by the Hindu Jagran Manch on Thursday.

Former Delhi chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal also criticized the arrest. “The entire nation stands in solidarity with Saint Chinmoy Krishna Das ji, who was unjustly arrested in Bangladesh. I appeal to the central government to intervene in this matter as soon as possible to free Chinmoy Das,” Kejriwal said in a post on X.

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