ISKCON Bangladesh Distances Itself from Arrested Monk Amid Sedition Row

ISKCON Bangladesh distanced itself from monk Chinmoy Krishna Das, arrested for sedition. The organization cited disciplinary breaches and denied involvement in his activities. India condemned the arrest amid rising attacks on minorities in Bangladesh.

ISKCON Bangladesh has formally disassociated itself from Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das, who was recently arrested on sedition charges. Charu Chandra Das Brahmachari, the organization’s general secretary, emphasized that the monk’s actions do not represent ISKCON.

According to Das Brahmachari, Chinmoy Krishna Das and two other leaders were removed months ago for disciplinary violations. “Their actions are not reflective of ISKCON’s principles. We have no involvement in their activities,” he stated.

The arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das stemmed from allegations of hoisting a saffron flag above the Bangladesh national flag during an October rally, a breach of the country’s flag code. Despite protests, the Dhaka High Court recently dismissed a petition to ban ISKCON Bangladesh, reaffirming its non-involvement in communal conflicts.

ISCON Bangladesh also refuted claims linking it to the death of lawyer Saiful Islam Alif and ongoing protests. Das Brahmachari condemned the spread of false narratives, asserting the organization’s commitment to harmony and unity.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has expressed concern over the arrest, highlighting the broader context of rising attacks on minorities in Bangladesh. In its statement, India condemned the lack of action against extremists targeting minority communities while a religious leader faces charges for peaceful advocacy.

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The incident underscores growing tensions around minority rights in Bangladesh, with international observers closely monitoring developments.