ISKCON and Chinmoy Krishna Das: The Controversy and the Breakaway

ISKCON से जुड़े रहे चिन्मय दास से अब संस्था ने कन्नी काट ली है. (तस्वीर:इंडिया टुडे)

ISKCON and Chinmoy Krishna Das: The Controversy and the Breakaway

Recently, ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) distanced itself from the Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das in Bangladesh. In a statement released on November 28, ISKCON clarified that Chinmoy Krishna Das’s comments were his personal views, and these were not associated with the organization. This came after a post on November 25 in which ISKCON condemned his arrest, but the organization has now taken a different stance on the matter. This entire situation is linked to ongoing debates about the rights of the Hindu community in Bangladesh.

ISKCON's Disassociation from Chinmoy Krishna Das

On November 28, ISKCON Bangladesh held a press conference where they confirmed that Chinmoy Krishna Das, along with Leelaraj Gaur Das and Gaurang Das, had been removed from all organizational positions and activities a few months ago. Charu Chandra Das, General Secretary of ISKCON Bangladesh, stated that their statements did not represent ISKCON in any way. The statement further emphasized that they had been formally removed from the organization and had no official role within ISKCON.

Chinmoy Krishna Das was previously considered the head of ISKCON Chattogram, also known as Pundarik Dham, one of the two most sacred Hindu pilgrimage sites in Bangladesh. However, ISKCON Bangladesh has now made it clear that Chinmoy Krishna Das is no longer a member of their institution.

The Arrest and Controversy

The arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das sparked a major debate in Bangladesh. On October 25, 2024, a large rally was organized in Chattogram by the organization Bangladesh Sammilito Sanatani Jagran Jot, where they raised eight key demands related to the rights of Hindus in the country. Six days after this rally, on October 31, a treason case was filed against Chinmoy Krishna Das and 17 other Hindu leaders at the Kotwali Police Station in Chattogram. The case was related to the alleged desecration of the national flag, with accusations that the rally participants had placed a saffron flag above the national flag in Chattogram's Newmarket area.

Chinmoy Krishna Das denied the allegations in an interview with India Today, stating that his organization had no involvement with the saffron flag incident. He explained that the flag had been placed two kilometers away from the rally site. Despite his denial, on November 25, Bangladesh’s intelligence police arrested him while he was traveling from Dhaka to Chattogram. The next day, Chinmoy Krishna Das was presented in court, where his bail application was rejected.

Sheikh Hasina's Reaction and Further Developments

The arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das also drew criticism from Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who condemned the action as excessive and argued that it could negatively affect the Hindu community in Bangladesh. Rana Dasgupta, leader of the Bangladesh Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Unity Council, also spoke out, calling the charges against Chinmoy Krishna Das false. He stated that the flag in question was not Bangladesh's national flag and that the accusations were baseless.

Who is Chinmoy Krishna Das?

Chinmoy Krishna Das was born in May 1985 in Kariyanganj, a town in Chattogram, Bangladesh. From a young age, he was deeply interested in religious discussions and quickly gained popularity in his locality as a child speaker. At the age of 12, he took initiation from ISKCON and became a Brahmachari. ISKCON Chattogram, also known as Pundarik Dham, is one of the two most sacred places for Hindus in Bangladesh.

In recent months, Chinmoy Krishna Das has organized several large rallies protesting against the alleged atrocities committed against Hindus in Bangladesh. These rallies became an important platform for advocating the rights of the Hindu community, drawing large crowds in support.

Why Did the Controversy Erupt?

Chinmoy Krishna Das came into the national spotlight on October 25, 2024, when the Bangladesh Sammilito Sanatani Jagran Jot held a massive rally in Chattogram, presenting a list of eight demands concerning the rights of Hindus in the country. Just six days later, on October 31, a treason case was filed against him and 17 other Hindu leaders for allegedly desecrating the national flag during the rally. The case stemmed from accusations that a saffron flag was hoisted over the national flag during the protest.

However, Chinmoy Krishna Das denied these allegations, stating that the saffron flag incident occurred two kilometers away from the rally site and that his organization had no involvement in it. Despite his defense, the police arrested him on November 25, and his bail application was later rejected by the court.

Conclusion

The arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das and ISKCON’s decision to distance itself from him have sparked a significant controversy, especially in the context of ongoing discussions about the rights of Hindus in Bangladesh. The situation has not only raised questions about religious freedoms but also highlighted the political and social tensions surrounding the Hindu community in Bangladesh. With ISKCON disassociating itself from Chinmoy Krishna Das, this controversy is likely to continue to shape public discourse on religious rights and political freedom in the country.