New Delhi: In a dramatic turn of events, Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Prabhu, who was arrested on sedition charges in Bangladesh, encountered a major setback on Tuesday when no lawyer agreed to represent him during his bail hearing. The Chattogram court deferred the hearing to January 2 after the local Bar Association reportedly prohibited legal professionals from taking up his case, sources revealed.
Legal Isolation Deepens for Monk Chinmoy Krishna Prabhu
Chinmoy Krishna Prabhu, a former member of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), was detained on November 25 at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. Following his arrest, the Chattogram Magistrate Court denied him bail and placed him in police custody, further escalating concerns among Bangladesh’s Hindu minority.
Efforts to defend Prabhu faced severe resistance. Rabindra Ghosh, a Dhaka-based advocate who traveled 250 kilometers to attend the court hearing, was reportedly blocked from entering the court premises by locals. This development highlights the intensifying hostility surrounding the case.
Violence Escalates: Advocate for Chinmoy Krishna Prabhu Attacked
In a chilling incident, Advocate Ramen Roy, who had previously defended Chinmoy Krishna Prabhu, was allegedly attacked at his home. According to ISKCON Kolkata spokesperson Radharamn Das, Roy’s residence was ransacked, and he was brutally assaulted. Currently in critical condition in an ICU, Roy is fighting for his life.
“His only ‘fault’ was defending Chinmoy Krishna Prabhu in court,” Das stated in an emotional appeal on social media, accompanied by a photograph of the injured advocate. The post, tagged with #SaveBangladeshiHindus and #FreeChinmoyKrishnaPrabhu, called attention to the increasing threats faced by Hindus in Bangladesh.
Context of Growing Tensions
The case has drawn attention to the precarious situation of religious minorities in Bangladesh, as attacks on Hindus and their properties have reportedly surged. Critics argue that the sedition charge against Chinmoy Krishna Prabhu and the subsequent legal and physical intimidation of his supporters reflect broader societal and systemic issues.
Global Reactions and Calls for Justice
Advocacy groups and international Hindu organizations have condemned the developments, calling for urgent intervention to protect Hindus in Bangladesh and ensure a fair trial for Chinmoy Krishna Prabhu. The assault on Advocate Roy has intensified calls for accountability and safety for those daring to challenge prevailing narratives.
As the January 2 hearing approaches, the case of Chinmoy Krishna Prabhu serves as a litmus test for Bangladesh’s commitment to justice and minority rights amidst growing communal tensions.
