Sheikh Hasina, the former prime minister of Bangladesh, supported Chinmoy Krishna Das, the Hindu monk who was detained, on Thursday, stating that he was “unjustly arrested” and that he needed to be freed right away.
She urged the government of Bangladesh to defend ethnic and religious minorities that have endured violence since she was overthrown in August. Following weeks of violent violence during student protests over reservations in government positions, Sheikh Hasina was compelled to leave Bangladesh.
After stepping down as Bangladesh’s prime minister, she took a military plane out of Dhaka and sought safety in New Delhi.
The Awami League shared Hasina’s statement on X, “A top leader of the Sanatan Dharma community has been unjustly arrested, he must be released immediately. Temples have been burned in Chittagong. In the past, mosques, shrines, churches, monasteries and houses of the Ahmadiyya community have been attacked, vandalized, looted and set on fire. Religious freedom and security of life and property of people of all communities must be ensured.”
She adds, “After the killing of countless Awami League leaders, activists, students, the public and members of the law enforcement agencies, harassment through attacks, cases and arrests is going on. I strongly condemn and protest these anarchist actions.”
Since August 8, Bangladesh’s interim administration has been led by economist Muhammad Yunus. “A lawyer was killed in Chittagong, I strongly protest this murder. Those involved in this murder must be found and punished quickly. Human rights have been grossly violated through this incident.”
“A lawyer went to perform his professional duties, and those who beat him to death in this way are terrorists. Whoever they are, they must be punished,” she said.
She also adds, “If the Yunus government, which seized power unconstitutionally, fails to punish these terrorists, then it will also have to face punishment for violating human rights. I appeal to the countrymen to stand united against this kind of terrorism and militancy. It is important to ensure the safety of the lives and property of the common people.”
After a man named Md. Feroze Khan filed a lawsuit against him and eighteen other people for raising a saffron flag above the national flag of Bangladesh at a rally in October, Chinmoy Krishna Das was taken into custody on Monday. No other flag may be flown over the national flag, per the Bangladesh Flag Rules, 1972.