Bangladesh Rejects India's Statement as 'Interference'

Bangladesh, in a counter-statement responding to India's reaction regarding the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, spokesperson of the Bangladesh Sanatan Jagaran Jote and principal of Pundarik Dham in Chittagong's Hathazari, stated, "India's statement on the Chinmoy issue amounts to interference in Bangladesh's internal affairs."

On Tuesday (November 26), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Dhaka issued a statement.

The statement noted, with deep disappointment, that the Government of Bangladesh has observed that the arrest of Shri Chinmoy Krishna Das, on specific charges, has been misinterpreted by certain quarters. The Government of Bangladesh asserts that such baseless statements not only distort the truth but also go against the spirit of friendship and understanding between the two neighboring countries.

Earlier, India’s Ministry of External Affairs expressed concern over the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das. In their statement, they remarked that the arrest and denial of bail for Shri Chinmoy Krishna Das, spokesperson of the Bangladesh Sanatan Jagaran Jote, is being viewed with deep concern. This incident follows multiple attacks on Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh.

The Indian statement further stated that while the perpetrators of these attacks remain at large, charges have been brought against a religious leader who had presented legitimate demands through peaceful gatherings. It urged the Bangladeshi authorities to ensure the safety of Hindus and other minorities, as well as their right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression.

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Responding to this, the Dhaka Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a counter-statement, stating that the Indian Ministry of External Affairs’ media remarks on Bangladesh's internal matter had drawn the attention of the Government of Bangladesh.

Dhaka’s statement expressed disappointment and regret over the misrepresentation of Shri Chinmoy Krishna Das’s arrest. It emphasized that baseless statements not only distort the truth but also undermine the spirit of friendship and understanding between the two neighbors.

The statement also commented that the Indian statement does not reflect the harmony existing among people of all faiths in Bangladesh or the government’s and citizens’ commitment and efforts toward it. Furthermore, it added that India’s statement disregards Bangladesh’s steadfast resolve to end the culture of impunity for serious human rights violations and its commitment to treating majority and minority populations equally.

The ministry reaffirmed that every Bangladeshi, regardless of their religious identity, has the right to practice, preserve, or observe their religious rituals and express their opinions freely. Ensuring the safety of all citizens, particularly religious minorities, is a key responsibility of the Bangladeshi government. This was evidenced last month when Durga Puja was celebrated peacefully across Bangladesh.

The statement reiterated that the Government of Bangladesh does not interfere in the judicial process, emphasizing that the matter in question is sub judice.

It also noted that the Bangladeshi government remains committed to upholding communal harmony in the country. Expressing deep concern over the brutal murder of Advocate Saiful Islam Alif in Chittagong this afternoon, the government said it has tightened security in the port city to ensure the preservation of religious harmony at any cost.

Notably, Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari was arrested by the detective police on Monday afternoon (November 25) at Shahjalal International Airport in the capital while en route to Chittagong. Later, on Tuesday afternoon, he was presented before Kazi Shariful Islam’s court in Chittagong Metropolitan-6. The judge rejected his bail plea and ordered him to be sent to jail under sedition charges. In protest against this incident and demanding his release, demonstrators attacked Advocate Saiful Islam Alif, leading to his death.