Chinmoy Das Prabhu, of the senior echelon of ISKCON at the Dhaka temple, was arrested on November 22, 2024. The reasons for the arrest were not immediately clear, except it was circulated that the priest was arrested as a result of an alleged fight with a group of Muslim men. Different parts of the country witnessed protests-the Hindus were calling for his release, protesting what they termed religious discrimination.
Riots broke out almost immediately during the protests, with some groups clashing with police and Muslim counter-protesters. In various cities-including Dhaka-the demonstrations took on a more visible form, being held in front of government buildings and sacred shrines. The protests turned violent when a local lawyer, who was said to have represented the family of Chinmoy Das Prabhu, fell victim to the violence and became a casualty.
During one of the protests, a Muslim lawyer, Saiful Islam, was shot and killed after clashing with police. The sequence of events took an ugly turn when a few men, some of whom had joined the protest, began firing at the police. In the commotion, the lawyer was hit by a bullet and was taken to the hospital, but he could not be revived. Legal practitioners have expressed outrage over his death and have called for an end to the violence and an investigation into what happened.
Following the death of the lawyer, riots have broken out between the Hindu and Muslim communities, as both communities are accusing the other of the violence. Both communities have their leaders issuing statements concerning the growing danger of violence. The Hindu community, particularly the ISKCON faction, has been agitated, alleging that there are systematic efforts to violate their religious practices and their free speech. Muslim groups argue that the protests and subsequent violence were fueled by extremists taking advantage of the situation to further their agendas.
International attention is now turning to Bangladesh, with organizations such as the Hindu American Foundation (HAF) and other advocacy groups urging the Bangladesh government to address the situation promptly. In a statement issued on November 26, 2024, the HAF warned that continued violence could lead to further deterioration of relations between Hindus and Muslims in Bangladesh, with the potential to destabilize the region. They called for an immediate and impartial investigation into the lawyer’s death and urged the Bangladesh government to ensure the safety of all religious communities.
The Bangladesh government, in response to the rising unrest, has promised to take swift action to restore order. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s administration has called for peace and unity, emphasizing that the violence will not be tolerated. Security forces have been deployed to key hotspots in Dhaka and other cities, and curfews have been imposed in some areas to prevent further escalation.
However, religious leaders and human rights organizations have expressed concerns that the government’s response could exacerbate tensions rather than ease them. They warn that heavy-handed tactics could inflame sentiments, particularly in a country already facing growing religious polarization.
