Another Hindu priest arrested in Bangladesh days after Chinmoy Krishna Das
PTC Web Desk: In a significant development following the arrest of spiritual leader Chinmoy Krishna Das, another Hindu priest, identified as Shyam Das Prabhu, has been detained by the authorities in Chattogram, Bangladesh. Sources said Shyam Das Prabhu was taken into custody after reportedly visiting Chinmoy Krishna Das in jail.
According to insiders, the arrest was made without an official warrant, raising concerns among the Hindu community.
Radharamn Das, vice-president and spokesperson of ISKCON Kolkata, shared the news on X (formerly Twitter), stating, "Another Brahmachari, Sri Shyam Das Prabhu, was arrested by Chattogram Police today."
Earlier this week, Hindu spiritual leader Chinmoy Krishna Das, a former member of Bangladesh's ISKCON chapter, was arrested on sedition charges. He was denied bail during a court hearing on Tuesday. The recent detention of Shyam Das Prabhu has sparked further unease within the community.
Notably, the arrest of Hindu priest Shyam Das Prabhu has sparked widespread protests across Bangladesh, with demonstrations reported in Dhaka, Chattogram, and other locations. The unrest intensified on Tuesday when clashes between police and protesters outside a Chattogram court led to the death of assistant public prosecutor Saiful Islam. The violence erupted after the priest was denied bail in court.
The police have arrested nine persons in connection with the prosecutor’s killing. According to the authorities, a case was filed against 46 persons, primarily cleanliness workers from the minority Hindu community, for their alleged involvement in the incident.
Meanwhile, in Chattogram, tensions escalated further on Friday when a mob vandalised three Hindu temples in the Harish Chandra Munsef Lane area. The targeted temples are the Shantaneshwari Matri Temple, the Shoni Temple, and the Shantaneshwari Kalibari Temple.
The attack, which occurred around 2.30 pm, involved a group of several hundred individuals chanting slogans and pelting the temples with bricks. According to the temple authorities, the Shoni Temple sustained significant damage, while the gates of the other two temples were also harmed.
Kotwali police station chief Abdul Karim confirmed the incident, stating that the attackers made deliberate attempts to damage the temples.
- With inputs from agencies
