Bangladesh police on Tuesday used teargas to disperse Hindu protesters after they blocked a prison van carrying Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, a Hindu community leader, at the Chattogram court premises, Reuters reported. The protests turned violent, leading to the death of a 35-year-old lawyer, and injuries to multiple individuals, as per local media reports.
The unrest erupted after a local court denied bail to Das, who faces sedition charges related to an October rally in Chattogram, where he and others were accused of disrespecting the national flag. Over 2,000 of his supporters gathered outside the court, lying down to block the prison vehicle. Chattogram police claimed that protesters threw bricks at officers, prompting law enforcement to use tear gas and sound grenades to disperse the crowd.
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“To disperse the crowd, we had to fire tear gas. No one was seriously injured, but one of our constables sustained minor injuries,” Chattogram Metropolitan Police Commissioner Hasib Aziz told news agency Reuters.
Eight individuals, including Shribas Das, Sharko Das, and Sujit Ghosh, were admitted to the hospital with injuries, while another 19 received preliminary treatment at a general hospital, as reported by Bangladeshi newspaper Prothom Alo.
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His arrest has sparked widespread demonstrations by the minority Hindu community in both Dhaka and Chattogram. Groups like the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council (BHBCUC) have condemned the arrest, calling for his immediate release. “This incident damages Bangladesh’s international reputation for freedom of expression and human rights,” said Manindra Kumar Nath, Acting General Secretary of the BHBCUC.
The ministry of external affairs also issued a statement expressing “deep concern” over Das’ arrest and urging Bangladesh’s interim government to ensure the safety of Hindus and other minorities. “This follows multiple attacks on Hindus and minorities in Bangladesh,” the statement said, referencing documented incidents of arson, looting, and vandalism targeting minority communities.
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Das’ supporters argue that the charges against him are politically motivated and aim to suppress minority voices. ISKCON Vice President Radharaman Das called the arrest “unfortunate,” adding that Das had become a symbol of peaceful resistance against rising violence towards Hindus in Bangladesh.