Chinmoy Krishna Das Granted Bail by Bangladesh High Court in Sedition Case Amid Rising Communal Tensions
In a significant legal and political development, the High Court Division of Bangladesh has granted bail to Chinmoy Krishna Das, a prominent Hindu leader and vocal spokesperson for the Bangladesh Sammilito Sanatani Jagaran Jot, in an alleged sedition case. The decision comes amid rising concerns over the safety of religious minorities in the country and growing international scrutiny of the interim government’s handling of communal violence.
The bench comprising Justice Atoar Rahman and Justice Ali Reza passed the order on Wednesday after concluding the final hearing on the matter. The ruling followed an earlier decision by the High Court to issue a rule seeking explanation from the prosecution as to why Das should not be granted bail. That rule was made absolute today, allowing Das temporary relief after nearly five months of incarceration.
Chinmoy Krishna Das was arrested on November 25, 2024, at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police on charges of sedition. His arrest immediately triggered a wave of protests both domestically and among the global Hindu diaspora, with many calling the case politically motivated and an attempt to silence minority voices in Bangladesh. Human rights organisations, including Amnesty International and Hindu advocacy groups, condemned the arrest as a stark example of religious persecution.
Background: Political Transition and Communal Unrest
The arrest occurred against the backdrop of a major political shift in Bangladesh. Following the resignation of the Awami League government led by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024, an interim government headed by economist-turned-politician Muhammad Yunus took charge. Despite Yunus’s assurances that the new administration would uphold communal harmony and protect minority rights, the country has witnessed a sharp spike in violence targeting religious minorities, particularly the Hindu community.
Since August, Bangladesh has seen a disturbing pattern of targeted attacks on minority communities. Reports from the ground and human rights monitors have chronicled incidents of looting, arson, vandalism, land grabbing, and threats issued to members of the Hindu population, urging them to flee the country. Many of these incidents have taken place in rural areas where minorities are more vulnerable and less able to seek immediate legal redress.
Earlier this month, Ain o Salish Kendra (AsK), a Dhaka-based human rights organisation, released a grim report documenting 147 incidents of attacks on Hindu households, temples, and businesses in just the last few months. Among the most alarming statistics: 408 households were vandalised, 36 cases of arson, 113 incidents of attacks on Hindu-owned businesses, and 92 temples where idols were desecrated. Attacks on Ahmadiyya places of worship have also been reported, further exposing the breadth of communal unrest in the country.
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A Symbol of Resistance
Chinmoy Krishna Das has been a prominent figure in the Hindu rights movement in Bangladesh. In addition to his role with the Sammilito Sanatani Jagaran Jot, Das has also been associated with the Bangladesh Jatiya Hindu Mohajot (BJHM), a coalition of 23 Hindu religious and social organisations. He is also linked with the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), a globally recognized spiritual movement.
His arrest was widely perceived as part of a broader crackdown on vocal minority leaders. Protests demanding his release were held in Dhaka, Chittagong, and also in foreign cities including New Delhi, London, and New York. Many protestors argued that Das’s only “crime” was speaking up for the rights of his community in a hostile and politically unstable environment.
Diplomatic Implications
India, which shares deep historical and cultural ties with the Hindu community of Bangladesh, has raised the issue at the highest levels. During the recent BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is reported to have expressed “grave concern” over the treatment of minorities in Bangladesh in a bilateral meeting with Muhammad Yunus. According to Indian officials, Modi urged the interim government to ensure the safety, dignity, and fundamental rights of all religious minorities in Bangladesh.
New Delhi has repeatedly underscored that a stable, inclusive, and pluralistic Bangladesh is essential for regional peace and cooperation. Indian External Affairs Ministry officials have also confirmed that further diplomatic channels are being explored to raise concerns with international bodies, should the attacks on minorities continue unchecked.
What Lies Ahead
While the bail granted to Chinmoy Krishna Das is a temporary legal victory, the larger issue of minority persecution in Bangladesh remains unresolved. With elections looming and the interim government’s legitimacy increasingly questioned, the path ahead for Bangladesh’s religious minorities appears uncertain. Observers say much will depend on the interim government’s willingness to take strong legal action against perpetrators of violence and enforce constitutional protections for all citizens, regardless of faith.
For now, Das’s release marks a symbolic win for the Hindu community and civil society, signaling that international pressure and domestic advocacy can yield results — but the road to justice and equality in Bangladesh remains long and fraught with challenges.
