Bangladesh strongly respond to India’s statement on Chinmoy issue.
Bangladesh has strongly responded to India’s statement on the arrest and bail of Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari. In a counter-statement Bangladesh said, ‘India’s statement on the Chinmoy issue amounts to interference in the internal affairs of Bangladesh.’
The statement protesting said, ‘A statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of India in the media on Tuesday on the internal affairs of Bangladesh has come to the notice of the Bangladesh government. With great disappointment and deep sorrow, the Bangladesh government notes that since the arrest of Shri Chinmoy Krishna Das on specific charges, his arrest has been misinterpreted by some quarters. The Bangladesh government wants to say that such baseless statements not only distort the truth but also go against the spirit of friendship and understanding between the two neighboring countries.’
Earlier, expressing concern over the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement, ‘We view with deep concern the arrest and denial of bail of the spokesperson of the Bangladesh Sammilita Sanatan Jagran Jote, Shri Chinmoy Krishna Das. This incident took place after a series of attacks on Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh.’
The statement further said that while the perpetrators of this incident are at large, charges have been framed against a religious leader; who presented his just demands through peaceful assembly. The statement called on the Bangladesh authorities to ensure the safety, peaceful assembly and freedom of expression of all minorities, including Hindus.
In response, the Dhaka Ministry of External Affairs statement further said, ‘India’s statement does not reflect the harmony existing among people of all religions and the commitment and efforts of the government and people in this regard. India’s statement completely disregards the government’s commitment to ending the culture of impunity for serious human rights violations against the people of Bangladesh and its approach to seeing the majority and the minority equally.’
The statement said, ‘Bangladesh firmly affirms that every Bangladeshi, regardless of his or her religious identity, has the right to establish, maintain or practice his or her own religious practices and to express his or her views without hindrance. It is the responsibility of the Bangladesh government to ensure the security of all citizens, especially religious minorities. This was once again demonstrated by the peaceful celebration of Durga Puja in Bangladesh last month.’
It also said, ‘The Bangladesh government wishes to reiterate that the judiciary of the country is completely independent and it does not interfere in the functioning of the judiciary. The matter in question is currently pending in court.
The Bangladesh government is also committed to maintaining communal harmony in the country, the statement said, “The Bangladesh government is deeply concerned about the brutal murder of Advocate Saiful Islam Alif in Chittagong on Tuesday afternoon. The authorities have strengthened security in the port city to maintain religious harmony at any cost.”
Incidentally, Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari was arrested by the intelligence police from Shahjalal International Airport in the capital on Monday afternoon while on his way to Chittagong. Later, when he was produced in the court of Kazi Shariful Islam of Chittagong Metropolitan-6 on Tuesday afternoon, the judge refused bail in the sedition case and ordered him to be sent to jail.
Lawyer Saiful Islam Alif was killed in an attack by protesters protesting this incident and demanding the release of Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari.
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