Who is Chinmoy Krishna and why is he being charged with sedition?

Chandan Kumar Dhar Prokash Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, popularly known as Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, a spokesperson of the Sanatan Jagaran Mancha and leader of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (Iskcon), has become a topic of national discussion following his arrest in a sedition case.

Chinmoy Krishna, who also heads an Iskcon-operated religious site named Pundarik Dham in Chittagong, was detained by the Detective Branch (DB) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Monday at 4:30 p.m.

On Tuesday, he was presented before a Chittagong court, which ordered his incarceration, sparking protests from his followers outside the court premises.

Chinmoy Krishna's arrest has garnered attention and criticism from several quarters, including neighbouring India.

He was charged in a sedition case filed against him and 18 others for allegedly hoisting a saffron flag above Bangladesh’s national flag at the New Market intersection in Chittagong on October 25.

CMP Additional Deputy Commissioner (Media) Kazi Md Tarek Aziz said that the case was filed by Md Feroze Khan on the night of October 30 under sedition laws at the Kotwali Police Station.

Those named as accused in the case are Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, 38, Chittagong divisional organizing secretary of Iskcon; Ajay Dutta, 34, coordinator of the Hindu Jagran Manch's Chittagong division; Leela Raj Das Brahmachari, 48, principal of the Prabartak IskconTemple in the city; and others such as Gopal Das Tipu, 38, Dr Kathak Das, 40, Amit Dhar, 38, Roni Das, 38, Rajib Das, 32, Krishna Kumar Dutta, 52, Jiku Chowdhury, 40, Newton Dey, 38, Tushar Chakraborty Rajib, 28, Mithun Dey, 35, Rupan Dhar, 35, Rimon Dutta, 28, Sukanta Das, 28, Biswajit Gupta, 42, Rajesh Chowdhury, 28, and Hriday Das, 25. 

Additionally, 15–20 unidentified individuals have also been listed as accused in the case.

According to the case details, during a rally at Laldighi Maidan, a religious flag associated with Iskcon was reportedly placed over the national flag. The case alleges this act was a "desecration" and "contempt for the country’s sovereignty," describing it as "treasonous activities aimed at destabilizing the nation by fostering an anarchic environment."

A photograph of the flags went viral on social media, drawing widespread criticism and prompting the flags' removal.

Md Feroze Khan, who filed the sedition case, was later suspended from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and placed in police custody for his safety following the incident.

Who is Chinmoy Krishna?

According to Iskcon Chittagong sources, Chinmoy Krishna hails from Satkania Upazila in Chittagong. Known for his religious speeches, he earned the nickname ‘Shishu Bokta’ due to his popularity as a religious preacher from an early age.

From 2016 to 2022, he served as the Chittagong Divisional Secretary of Iskcon. He has also been Principal of Pundarik Dham in Hathazari, Chittagong, since 2007.

However, several media reports claim Chinmoy was suspended from his position within Iskcon three months ago. When asked, various Iskcon members suggested that the allegations and counter-allegations are part of internal conflicts, asserting that Chinmoy continues to head a prominent Iskcon institution in Chittagong.

Formation of Sanatan Jagaran Mancha

Several Hindu leaders in Chittagong explained that the Sanatan Jagaran Mancha emerged as a platform in August amidst nationwide unrest. They said that Chinmoy represents the broader Hindu community through this movement rather than solely representing Iskcon.

One coordinator, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: "On August 5, during a mass uprising when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left the country, several Hindu houses and temples were vandalized. In response, this platform was launched, and Chinmoy Das was appointed its spokesperson."

The coordinator added that the group plans to hold a major rally in Khulna on December 13. Recently, the Sanatan Jagaran Mancha organized large rallies in Chittagong and Rangpur, where Chinmoy delivered impassioned speeches advocating the rights of the Hindu community.