Bangladesh misses chance to ease tensions with India over Hindu priest’s case
Dhaka has filed an appeal against a court order granting bail to Chinmoy Krishna Das, who was arrested last year over a flag incident
Chinmoy Krishna Das, a religious leader and a former member of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), was arrested and charged with sedition in November for disrespecting the Bangladeshi national flag during a political rally. The incident took place during the chaotic weeks following the collapse of the government of former Bangladeshi prime minister Sheikh Hasina in August.
Das, who enjoys significant influence among the Hindu minority in Bangladesh, had led rallies demanding greater protection for non-Muslim communities in the wake of the political turmoil. His arrest was seen by many in the Hindu community as politically motivated and also drew concern in India, which has long voiced concern over violence against Hindus in Bangladesh.
A two-judge bench of the Bangladesh High Court granted Das bail on Wednesday, but the government’s appeal means legal proceedings against him will continue.
While tensions between Muslims and Hindus in Bangladesh escalated into clashes following last year’s political turmoil, the situation has since calmed, according to analysts. Allowing the court’s decision to grant bail to Das to stand unchallenged would have helped signal a return to normalcy, they say.