RSS Condemns Attacks on Minorities in Bangladesh Urges Release of Iskcon Priest Chinmoy Krishna Das
New Delhi: The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Saturday strongly condemned the “inhumane atrocities” against Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh and called for the immediate release of Chinmoy Krishna Das a former Iskcon priest arrested by the Bangladeshi government.
In a statement the RSS expressed concern over the growing violence and persecution of minorities in Bangladesh allegedly at the hands of Islamic extremists. The RSS accused the Bangladeshi authorities of failing to act allowing such attacks which have included killings arson and looting to escalate. The statement described the situation as a new wave of injustice and oppression against the Hindu community forcing them to demand self-protection through democratic means.
“The attacks killings lootings arson and inhumane atrocities against Hindus and other minorities by Islamic extremists in Bangladesh are extremely concerning and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh condemns them” the RSS said. “The current government of Bangladesh and other agencies are merely bystanders instead of preventing this.”
Chinmoy Krishna Das who had been leading peaceful protests against these atrocities was arrested on Monday for sedition charges related to a rally by the Hindu community in Chattogram. The protest which had occurred in late October was allegedly triggered by accusations of disrespecting Bangladesh’s national flag. Following his arrest Chinmoy was denied bail sparking widespread protests in Dhaka and Chattogram.
RSS urged the Bangladesh government to take immediate action to end the violence and release Chinmoy Krishna Das from prison. “The imprisonment of Iskcon monk Chinmoy Krishna Das who was leading such peaceful protests by the Bangladesh government is unjust” the statement read.
Although the RSS distanced itself from the actions of Chinmoy Krishna Das clarifying that his actions were not representative of their organization it expressed its concern for the rights and safety of minorities in Bangladesh. The organization called on India to continue its efforts to prevent atrocities against minorities and to build international support for the cause.
“We urge the Indian government to continue all possible efforts to stop the atrocities against Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh and to take necessary steps promptly to build global opinion in support of this” the RSS added.
Meanwhile India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) expressed deep concern over the escalating violence against minorities in Bangladesh. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar informed Parliament that the Indian government has been closely monitoring the situation. He emphasized that Bangladesh’s interim government must fulfill its responsibility to protect all citizens particularly religious minorities.
“We are concerned at the surge of extremist rhetoric increasing incidents of violence and provocations. These developments cannot be dismissed only as media exaggeration” said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reinforcing India’s stance on the issue.
As the situation continues to unfold the international community including India is urging the Bangladesh government to take decisive action to halt the violence and ensure the protection of its minority communities.
