The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council has urgently called for the immediate release of Chinmoy Krishna Das, the spokesperson for the United Sanatan Awakening Forum, amid allegations of sedition. This demand was voiced through a statement issued by the council on 29th december,2024 , underscoring the council’s stance against what they describe as false and harassing charges.
Monindra Kumar Nath, the acting secretary-general of the council, signed the statement, which declared the sedition case against Das and eighteen others as baseless and driven by harassment. The Unity Council has appealed to the government to dismiss the charges and release all accused parties.
The background to this demand traces back to October 25, when a large assembly led by Chinmoy Krishna Das was held in Chittagong, celebrating Sanatan community traditions and values. However, the situation took a drastic turn when, a few days later on October 31, Das was charged with dishonoring the national flag, leading to sedition charges filed against him and eighteen others. The complainant, Firoz Khan, a BNP leader, was later expelled from his party, though the case against Das and others continued.
On November 22, under Das’s leadership, another major gathering was organized in Rangpur. Following this event, Das was arrested in Dhaka on November 25. The following day, his bail application was denied by a Chittagong Metropolitan Magistrate, resulting in his current imprisonment.
These developments have sparked significant controversy and have been perceived by many as part of a broader pattern of using legal actions to suppress minority community voices in Bangladesh. The sedition law, under which Das and others have been charged, is often criticized for its potential misuse against political and social dissent.
The Unity Council’s statement not only contests the validity of the charges but also highlights concerns about the fairness and transparency of the legal proceedings. The council argues that these charges are part of a strategy to intimidate and silence opposition, which is detrimental to the democratic fabric of Bangladesh.
As Das remains in custody, awaiting further legal proceedings, his case has become a focal point for debates on civil liberties and the state of minority rights in Bangladesh. The Unity Council, along with various human rights organizations, continues to advocate for his release and for a reevaluation of the sedition charges that they argue are unjustly silencing peaceful assembly and free speech.
The situation remains tense and closely watched by national and international observers, who consider the outcome of this case as indicative of Bangladesh’s commitment to upholding democratic principles and human rights, especially for its minority communities.
