In Dhaka, Bangladesh, eleven Supreme Court lawyers are preparing to defend former ISKCON priest Chinmoy Krishna Das in a bail hearing scheduled for Thursday. The legal team, led by advocate Apurba Kumar Bhattacharjee, will address sedition charges against Chinmoy, accused of disrespecting Bangladesh's national flag. Apurba Kumar Bhattacharjee, a member of both the Supreme Court and Chattogram Bar associations, stated that he has received the necessary legal authorization to represent Chinmoy.
The charges stem from an incident on October 25, when Chinmoy allegedly raised a saffron flag above the national flag in Chittagong. His arrest on November 25 led to protests and violent clashes, resulting in the death of a lawyer. The unrest intensified with further arrests, including two monks from ISKCON Kolkata, Adipurush Shyam Das and Ranganath Das Brahmachari, who were detained after visiting Chinmoy in custody.
ISKCON's Vice President, Radha Raman, reported vandalism at an ISKCON center during the unrest. The Ministry of External Affairs expressed concern over the violence and extremist rhetoric, highlighting ongoing discussions with Dhaka about targeted attacks on minorities.
In December 2024, Veena Sikri, former High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh, wrote an open letter discussing Chinmoy's efforts with the Sanatani Jagran Jote to advocate for minority protection laws in Bangladesh. Their demands include a minority protection ministry, a special tribunal for minority persecution cases, and the protection and recovery of temples.
ISKCON stands for the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. It is a religious organization that follows the teachings of Lord Krishna, a Hindu deity.
A bail hearing is a legal process where a judge decides if a person who has been arrested can be released from jail while they wait for their trial. The person might have to pay money as a guarantee that they will return for their trial.
Sedition charges are serious accusations against someone who is believed to be trying to incite people to rebel against the authority of the state or government.
A saffron flag is often associated with Hinduism and is a symbol of Hindu religious and cultural identity. It is sometimes used in religious and cultural events.
The Ministry of External Affairs is a part of the Indian government that deals with India's foreign relations and international affairs. They work on issues related to Indians living abroad and international diplomacy.
Veena Sikri is a person who has spoken about the need for laws to protect minority communities. She is known for her work in diplomacy and international relations.
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