Save Bangladeshi Hindus: British & US Lawmakers demand swift release of Chinmoy Krishna Das.

International Pressure Mounts: British and US Lawmakers Demand Release of Chinmoy Krishna Das, Safety for Bangladeshi Hindus.

Upendra Bharti | HENB | New Delhi | Dec 4, 2024:: At latest, US Congressman Brad Sherman has joined the growing chorus of voices calling for the release of Chinmoy Krishna Das, the ISKCON priest arrested on sedition charges in Bangladesh. Sherman, representing California’s 32nd congressional district, urged Bangladesh’s interim government to ensure the safety and protection of the country’s minority Hindu community.

Sherman has urged Bangladesh’s interim government to safeguard the Hindu minority community, emphasizing their absolute obligation to do so. Sherman stressed that the government must meaningfully address the protests of thousands of minority Hindus, who are outraged over the recent wave of attacks and harassment.

See: https://twitter.com/BradSherman/status/1864034088149045438

This development comes after British MPs spoke out, demanding the release of Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das and ensuring the safety of religious minorities in Bangladesh.

Amnesty International has also weighed in, calling on the Bangladeshi authorities to conduct a swift and impartial investigation into crimes against Hindu and other minority communities. They emphasized the need for concrete actions to ensure justice, reparations, and guarantee non-recurrence for the minority community.

Deeply concerning: Priti Patel

The  Ugandan-Indian origin British MP Priti Patel highly condemned the attacks on Bangladeshi Hindus under the regime of interim Govt there under Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus.

“The degree of escalation in violence is deeply concerning. What we are witnessing now is uncontrolled violence in many quarters. We are watching with horror and shock as further violence spreads in Bangladesh. The thoughts of all of us in the House are with the diaspora community here and those affected in Bangladesh. These are deeply disturbing reports,” Conservative MP Priti Patel said.

See: https://twitter.com/pritipatel/status/1863663152723870010

Ethnic cleansing of Hindus: Bob Blackman

“Hindus are suffering, with their houses being burned and their businesses ransacked. Priests have been arrested, and I understand that two more were arrested over the weekend, and 63 monks have been denied access to the country. The clear issue is an attempt at the ethnic cleansing of Hindus from Bangladesh. We want to hear not just words of piety but absolute condemnation of what is going on. Religious minorities are being deliberately persecuted because of their religion,” Conservative MP Bob Blackman, who is the chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for British Hindus, said.

Attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh

Bangladesh has seen sporadic violence targeting the homes, businesses, and places of worship of Hindus, following the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5.

The recent arrests of Chinmoy Krishna Das and two more ISKCON priests have only made the Hindus in Bangladesh feel more insecure about their future in the country.

75 ISKCON members travel to India through Benapole checkpost

Fleeing persecution, Bangladesh’s minority Hindus are quietly escaping the country in a desperate bid for survival, as communal violence perpetrated by Islamist elements continues to escalate.

A group of 75 ISKCON members successfully crossed into India through the Benapole check post after completing immigration procedures. The members, hailing from various districts such as Dhaka, Munshiganj, Mymensingh, Khulna, and Bagerhat, were granted exit clearance after their passports and visas were verified online, as confirmed by Imtiaz Ahmed, officer-in-charge (OC) of Benapole Immigration Police. This development comes after a previous incident where 54 ISKCON members were turned back by Bangladeshi immigration police from the same border crossing, citing “suspicious travel”.

According to sources, the ISKCON-Bangladesh members who crossed into India have made a firm decision to remain in the country until peace is restored in Bangladesh. Moreover, they have planned to bring their family members in India, seeking a safe haven amidst the ongoing turmoil in their homeland.

Hindus Under Attack In Bangladesh: Hema Malini Stands Up, Gets Emotional Over ISKCON Monk’s Arrest

In Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Indian parliament) BJP MP Hema Malini highlighted the suffering of Hindus facing atrocities in Bangladesh. She urged the Indian government to take immediate action to address the challenges faced by minority communities in the neighboring country. She said, “‘Won’t Stay Silent While Hindus are attacked by radicals”.

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Courtesy: Reuters and TOI,