ISKCON leader arrested in Bangladesh, BJP leads protests in Kolkata

Chinmoykrishna Prabhu, a senior monk of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), was arrested on Monday in Bangladesh by the local police under charges of treason. The arrest follows an investigation into allegations that Prabhu had been involved in activities against the state, though specific details of these accusations have not been disclosed. The arrest was carried out by the police of Yunus Government, and a court in Chittagong rejected his bail request on Tuesday. Instead of remaining in police custody, Prabhu was sent to jail after authorities decided they would not hold him in their custody.

The news of Prabhu's arrest has prompted protests in Kolkata, India, particularly among members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The party has condemned the arrest and called for his immediate release. BJP leaders announced a series of protests, starting with a torchlight procession in Behala on Tuesday, followed by a march to the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission on Wednesday. On Thursday, the Hindu Jagran Manch, a Hindu nationalist group, is scheduled to hold a rally. BJP leaders have also stated that if Prabhu is not released, they will initiate border blockades beginning Monday.

In response to the political developments, Suvendu Adhikari, a senior leader of the opposition in West Bengal, made a statement outside the state assembly, saying, “TMC will not protest. They are the Muslim League 2. We will protest.” This comment has added to the ongoing political debate surrounding the issue, with opposition parties and political leaders differing in their responses. As the situation continues to unfold, both legal and diplomatic avenues are being explored to address the charges against Prabhu.