NEW DELHI: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Saturday condemned the ‘inhumane atrocities’ against minorities in Bangladesh and urged the Mohammad Yunus-led interim government to release former Iskcon priest Chinmoy Krishna Das from prison.
RSS said that the injustice and oppression compelled Hindus in Bangladesh to raise their voice for 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 current government of Bangladesh and other agencies are merely bystanders instead of preventing this. A new wave of injustice and oppression seems to be emerging against Hindus in Bangladesh who are compelled to raise their voices for self-protection through democratic means,” RSS said in a statement.
“The imprisonment of Iskcon monk Chinmoy Krishna Das, who was leading such peaceful protests, by the Bangladesh government is unjust. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh urges the Bangladesh government to ensure that the atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh cease immediately and that Chinmoy Krishna Das is released from prison,” it added.
Earlier, the organisation distanced itself from the priest saying his “actions are not representative” of the religious body.
The organisation also appealed to India to continue all possible efforts to stop atrocities against minorities and take necessary steps to build global opinion in support of the issue.
“The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh also appeals to 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,” it said.
“At this crucial time, India and the global community and institutions should stand in solidarity with the victims in Bangladesh and demand every possible effort from their respective governments for this cause, which is essential for world peace and brotherhood,” it added.
Chinmoy Krishna Das was arrested on Monday for sedition charges and denied bail on Tuesday, sparking protests by Hindu community members across Bangladesh, including Dhaka and Chattogram.
On October 30, authorities filed a sedition case against 19 individuals, including Das, at Chattogram’s Kotwali Police Station, alleging disrespect towards Bangladesh’s national flag during a Hindu community rally in New Market area.
Bangladesh freezes accounts of 17 people allegedly connected to Iskcon. The Bangladesh financial intelligence unit has directed the freezing of the bank accounts of 17 individuals allegedly connected to Iskcon Bangladesh, including imprisoned Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, for a duration of 30 days.
Meanwhile, India said that Bangladesh’s interim government must protect all minorities, expressing serious concern about extremist rhetoric and increasing violence against Hindus and temple attacks.
External affairs minister S Jaishankar informed Parliament that India has noted the violence against minorities in Bangladesh seriously, emphasising Dhaka’s responsibility to protect all citizens’ rights. He further added that the Indian high commission in Dhaka is closely monitoring the situation.
“Our position on the matter is clear — the interim govt in Dhaka must live up to its responsibility of protecting all minorities. We are concerned at surge of extremist rhetoric, increasing incidents of violence and provocation. These developments cannot be dismissed only as media exaggeration,” ministry of external affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said while addressing the unrest in Bangladesh.