Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, a prominent Hindu leader in Bangladesh, greeted people with his usual warm "Prabhu pronam" before being taken away in a prison van after a court hearing in Chattogram on Tuesday.

Despite his friendly gesture, Krishna Das showed his strong determination as he was driven away by the police. From the window of the van, he made a victory sign, raised a fist, and locked his fingers together to send a clear message to his followers: "Stay united."

Who is  Chinmoy Krishna Das

Chinmoy Krishna Das, also known as Chinmoy Prabhu, was born in May 1985 in Karimnagar village, Satkania Upazila, Chattogram. At the age of 12, in 1997, he took diksha (initiation) and became an ISKCON brahmachari.

Chinmoy Prabhu is currently the President of Pundarik Dham, one of the two holiest pilgrimage sites for Hindus in Bangladesh. He serves as the spokesperson for the Bangladesh Sammilito Sanatani Jagaran Jot, an organization advocating for Hindu rights. His leadership and influence have grown rapidly in recent years, especially during times of religious and political unrest in the country.

Why Chinmoy Krishna Das arrested

Chinmoy Krishna Das was arrested by the Detective Branch of Dhaka Police at the Dhaka International Airport on Monday due to a sedition case filed against him a month ago. In an interview with India Today earlier in November, Das said the case was related to their demands for the protection of minorities in Bangladesh. He claimed it was an attempt to stop the leadership of their movement.

The monk  faced sedition charges after a rally where he was accused of disrespecting the national flag. The rally, which took place at Pundarik Dham in Hathazari, located about 18 kilometers from Chittagong city, has sparked controversy.

Chinmoy, who is affiliated with ISKCON, came to the limelight in recent months after a series of attacks on Hindus and their temples in Bangladesh. The violence emerged as the country faced political turmoil after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina regime in August.

According to ISKCON Centres' website and reports from PTI, the incident has led to legal action against the prominent Hindu leader, known for his strong advocacy for minority rights in Bangladesh. 

What India said

After Chinmoy's arrest, India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also criticised the act and called on the Bangladesh government to take steps to protect Hindus, who are a minority in the country, and ensure their safety.

The MEA urged the Bangladesh government to protect Hindus and all minorities, ensuring their right to peacefully assemble and express themselves. It also pointed to several reports of violence, including the burning and looting of minority homes and businesses, as well as the destruction of temples and religious idols. It also expressed concerns over the attacks on the religious minority group members protesting peacefully for the release of Prabhu.