Protests broke out in Dhaka and other cities in Bangladesh following the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Prabhu, a prominent Hindu leader and monk associated with the Sammilita Sanatani Jote. Prabhu, known for his advocacy against atrocities on Hindus in Bangladesh, was detained by the Dhaka Police's Detective Branch on Monday, November 25, at Dhaka Airport.
Demonstrations were reported in cities such as Dhaka and Chittagong, with visuals showing members of the Hindu community blocking roads and raising slogans demanding Prabhu’s immediate release. In Dhaka’s Shahbagh area, protesters called for justice, while similar demonstrations in Chittagong included participants holding up mobile phone flashlights as a symbolic gesture of dissent. Reports also indicated that several protesters were injured after being attacked by unidentified individuals during the rallies.
According to local media, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) also joined the protests, condemning the arrest of Prabhu, also known as Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari. He serves as the President of Pundarik Dham in Bangladesh and has been a vocal advocate for the rights of the Hindu minority in the country.
The arrest reportedly stems from allegations of disrespecting the Bangladeshi flag during a rally in October, for which Prabhu and 17 others were charged with sedition after a saffron flag was hoisted at the event. His detention comes amid increasing tensions in Bangladesh over violence targeting the Hindu community, including attacks on temples, homes, and businesses.
BJP MP Sukanta Majumdar condemned the arrest, describing Prabhu as a peaceful leader who has been a tireless voice for the Hindu minority. Majumdar urged India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, to intervene and address the issue. "I condemn the unjust arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Prabhu and request urgent steps to ensure his release," Majumdar said.
The protests underscore growing concerns over the treatment of religious minorities in Bangladesh, with calls for both domestic and international attention to the matter. The situation remains tense as authorities navigate the escalating unrest.