India's Statement on Chinmoy Issue: Unwarranted Interference, India Should Ensure the Safety of Its Minorities: Information Advisor

Bangladesh Rebukes India's Statement on Chinmoy Krishna Das Case as "Unwarranted Interference"

Nahid Islam, Advisor to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, has criticized India's expression of concern over the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das, former ISKCON leader and spokesperson of the United Sanatani Awakening Alliance, as unwarranted interference. Speaking to BBC Bangla on Wednesday, she stated, “We view such statements from India as an attempt to escalate the situation unnecessarily. India should prioritize safeguarding its own minority communities.” She also called on India to act responsibly and avoid supporting what she described as propaganda from the Awami League.

The controversy traces back to October 25, when a rally organized by the Bangladesh Sanatani Awakening Front in Chattogram's Laldighi field witnessed participants raising a saffron ISKCON flag over the national flag, sparking nationwide outrage. This led to a sedition case filed by expelled BNP leader Firoz Khan. Chinmoy Krishna Das was arrested at Dhaka's Shahjalal International Airport on Monday and subsequently transferred to Chattogram, where a court ordered his detention.

Tensions flared further when Chinmoy’s followers clashed with law enforcement outside the court, resulting in the brutal murder of government lawyer Advocate Saiful Islam Alif. Reacting to this, India’s Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement expressing concern over Chinmoy’s arrest, highlighting a broader context of attacks on minorities in Bangladesh. The statement called on the Bangladeshi government to protect minorities' security and ensure their freedom of expression.

In a sharp response, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs dismissed India’s concerns as a “misrepresentation of facts” that undermines bilateral relations. The ministry emphasized that Chinmoy's arrest was based on legal grounds, reaffirming the government’s dedication to ensuring communal harmony and protecting all citizens, regardless of their religious identity. It also highlighted the peaceful celebration of Durga Puja as an example of Bangladesh’s commitment to fostering religious harmony.

On her verified Facebook page, Nahid Islam condemned the murder of Advocate Saiful Islam, promising strict legal action against the perpetrators. She accused Chinmoy Krishna Das of attempting to incite communal tensions through false and provocative rhetoric aimed at attracting international attention and tarnishing Bangladesh’s image. Nahid also alleged that both the Awami League and segments of Indian media were leveraging communal narratives for political purposes.

She reassured citizens of the government's resolve to safeguard minority communities while taking firm legal steps against extremist elements. Nahid urged calm and patience, asserting that those responsible for the violence would face justice swiftly.