Yunus-Led Regime & Islamist Groups Strengthen Alliance Against Minorities: Reports in UK Media

UK Correspondent

Bangladesh has witnessed widespread protests following the denial of bail to prominent Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das, a leader of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in Bangladesh. Das was arrested on sedition charges after advocating for the safety and rights of the Hindu minority in the country.

The situation in Bangladesh has been extensively covered by *The Independent*, a leading UK daily, which highlights the worsening conditions for religious minorities under the Yunus-led interim government. The report sheds light on the growing alliance between the current regime and Islamist groups, accusing them of fueling violence against religious minorities, particularly Hindus, amid the ongoing political crisis. The article underscores the severe implications this alliance has for the safety and rights of the Hindu community in Bangladesh.

Protests erupted in Dhaka when hundreds of Krishna Das’s supporters surrounded the police van carrying him, causing a standoff that lasted over an hour. Security forces responded with tear gas to disperse the crowd. The protests intensified when Muslim demonstrators joined security officials and clashed with Hindu protesters, leading to stone-throwing and further violence. According to Chittagong Metropolitan Police Commissioner Hasib Aziz, police had to deploy tear gas to control the unrest, though only one officer was reported injured during the clashes.

Krishna Das, along with 18 others, faces accusations of disrespecting the national flag during a rally in Chattogram last October, where they allegedly hoisted a saffron flag above the national flag. He was arrested at Dhaka’s main airport on Monday while en route to Chattogram.

The 38-year-old monk, known for his advocacy for the Hindu community, was detained after being forcefully separated from his phone by police. His supporters have voiced concerns over the government’s crackdown on religious leaders who speak out for the protection of minorities.

This arrest comes amid rising violence against religious minorities, especially following the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024. The political unrest, which resulted in the establishment of an interim government led by Nobel laureate Mohammad Yunus, has led to widespread fear and violence targeting Hindus. Reports indicate over 2,000 attacks against the Hindu community since Hasina’s resignation.

ISKCON has condemned the charges against Krishna Das, calling them unfounded and unjust. The group issued a statement urging the Indian government to intervene, pressuring the Bangladesh government to release Krishna Das immediately and highlighting the peaceful nature of the ISKCON movement.

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs also expressed concern about the arrest and ongoing attacks on religious minorities in Bangladesh, citing numerous reports of arson, looting, and desecration of religious sites. The ministry criticized the Bangladesh government for pressing charges against peaceful religious protests while perpetrators of violence against minorities remain unpunished.

As tensions escalate, both the religious and political climates in Bangladesh remain volatile, with growing concerns over the safety and rights of the Hindu community.