Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan has strongly condemned Bangladesh following the repeated denial of bail to Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das, who has been incarcerated for over 500 days on charges of sedition.
In a recent statement, Kalyan highlighted the prolonged detention of Das, a spiritual leader and ISKCON monk. He expressed deep concern over the treatment of Das and questioned the integrity of the legal process, alleging that even the monk's lawyers are facing intimidation and threats within court corridors.
"500+ days in jail. Bail denied. Again. Chinmoy Krishna Das Prabhu, a spiritual leader and an ISKCON monk, continues to languish behind bars in Bangladesh while the world watches," Kalyan wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Kalyan further questioned whether advocating for the rights of the minority Hindu community in Bangladesh has become a criminal offense. He emphasized that the world should not remain silent when a spiritual figure is treated like a criminal for raising his voice.
Appeal for Fair Justice and Medical Aid
The actor-politician appealed directly to the Government of Bangladesh, urging them to provide immediate medical assistance to Chinmoy Krishna Das and ensure he receives access to a fair legal process. He called for Das to be granted bail at the earliest opportunity.
Kalyan also directed criticism towards "pseudo-secularists and Selective Human rights Activists" globally, noting their perceived silence on this issue. He stated that their "humanity has a filter" and their silence is conspicuous.
Background of the Case
Chinmoy Krishna Das, a spokesperson for the Bangladesh Sammilita Sanatani Jagran Jote, was arrested on November 25, 2024, at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in connection with an alleged sedition case. Bangladesh's High Court recently rejected his bail plea, citing that he is also being tried in a lower court in connection with the 2024 killing of lawyer Saiful Islam Alif.
Following an earlier bail denial by a court in Chattogram, Das's supporters organized protests in Dhaka and other parts of Bangladesh. These demonstrations escalated into violence in Chattogram, where Alif, a junior government prosecutor, was killed. Kalyan had previously condemned Das's arrest in November 2024, urging the Bangladeshi government to halt what he described as "atrocities on Hindus" and highlighting the targeting of Hindus in the country.