West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has commented on the arrest of ISKCON saint Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari in Bangladesh, stating that her party will stand with the central government's decision on the matter. The monk was taken into custody on several charges, including sedition, prompting protests from the Hindu community. His bail plea was rejected and he was sent to prison, triggering further demonstrations. The arrest is yet another attack on the minority community in Bangladesh, which has been facing violence since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government.
ISKCON Saint's Arrest in Bangladesh: A Deeper Dive into the Controversy
The arrest of ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) saint Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari in Bangladesh has sparked widespread concern and protests from the Hindu community. The incident has raised questions about the treatment of religious minorities in the country.
Background:
ISKCON is a global Hindu religious organization founded in 1966 in New York City. It is inspired by the teachings of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, a 15th-century saint who advocated for the chanting of the names of God. ISKCON has over 500 temples and outreach centers worldwide, including several in Bangladesh.
The Arrest:
On July 13, 2023, Brahmachari was arrested by Bangladeshi authorities on charges of sedition, assault, and defaming religion. He is accused of making derogatory remarks about the Prophet Muhammad during a religious gathering. The arrest triggered protests from Hindus across the country, who demanded his release.
Bail Plea Rejected:
Brahmachari's bail plea was rejected by a court on August 2, 2023. He was sent to prison, further inflaming tensions. The decision has drawn criticism from human rights organizations and the Indian government.
West Bengal Chief Minister's Response:
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has stated that her party will support the central government's decision on the matter. However, she urged the Indian Ministry of External Affairs to intervene and ensure Brahmachari's release.
Implications:
The arrest has heightened concerns about the treatment of religious minorities in Bangladesh. Hindus constitute about 8% of the population and have faced discrimination and violence in recent years. The incident has also strained relations between India and Bangladesh.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers:
1. Who is Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari?
Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari is an ISKCON saint who was arrested in Bangladesh on charges of sedition, assault, and defaming religion.
2. Why was Brahmachari arrested?
Brahmachari is accused of making derogatory remarks about the Prophet Muhammad during a religious gathering.
3. What is the status of Brahmachari's case?
Brahmachari's bail plea has been rejected, and he is currently in prison.
4. What has been the reaction to Brahmachari's arrest?
The arrest has sparked protests from the Hindu community and drawn criticism from human rights organizations and the Indian government.
5. What are the implications of Brahmachari's arrest?
The incident has heightened concerns about the treatment of religious minorities in Bangladesh and strained relations between India and Bangladesh.
China has rebuked India's support for the Dalai Lama's choice to be the sole selector of his successor, stating that India should tread carefully on Tibet-related issues to avoid damaging relations with Beijing. This comes after Indian Union Minister Kiren Rijiju made comments supporting the Dalai Lama's decision to choose his own successor, saying it is a matter of religious belief and not politics. China insists on their 'Golden Urn' procedure for selecting the Dalai Lama's successor and has warned India to stay clear of any commitments to the Tibetan spiritual leader.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's foreign tour to Trinidad & Tobago has sparked interest in the upcoming Bihar assembly elections. During his visit, he praised the Indian community's contributions to the Caribbean country and made strategic remarks pointing towards the state's electorate. The cultural and spiritual ties between India and Trinidad & Tobago continue to deepen, with PM Modi presenting symbolic gifts to Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and other Indian-origin leaders.
The Madras High Court has rejected an appeal filed by a group of medical aspirants in Tamil Nadu, seeking a re-examination of NEET UG 2025. The court noted that allowing the request would have a significant impact on over two million students across the country, who have already taken the exam. The bench, comprising Justice J Nisha Banu and Justice M Jothiraman, upheld an earlier verdict and dismissed the petition, stating that there were no significant issues with the overall conduct of the exam. It was also noted that an expert committee's statistical analysis found no significant difference in the number of questions attempted by students at the concerned centres, confirming that the alleged power outage did not impact their performance.
With origins in India, the ancient practice of yoga has gained global recognition for its holistic benefits on physical, mental, and spiritual health. Designated by the United Nations, International Yoga Day is observed on June 21, and this year's theme is "Yoga for One Earth, One Health." As the day approaches, here are some wishes, quotes, and slogans to share with loved ones to celebrate the journey of the self through the practice of yoga. Let yoga lead you to inner peace and a healthier, happier you.
In a disturbing instance of language vigilantism, former MP Rajan Vichare and his supporters beat and coerced a group of non-local traders into apologising for not speaking Marathi. The incident took place in Thane, where Vichare had summoned the traders to his office after a Marathi-speaking youth was allegedly abused and assaulted at the railway station. This raises concerns over the safety of traders and the growing trend of forcing the use of regional languages. Such incidents must be dealt with strictly to prevent further cases of language vigilantism.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was greeted with a traditional Bhojpuri Chautaal performance upon his arrival in Trinidad and Tobago for his first official visit to the Caribbean nation. During his visit, PM Modi also met with members of the Indian community and praised their contributions to the country's development. This visit marks the first bilateral visit to Trinidad and Tobago by an Indian Prime Minister in 25 years and highlights the strong cultural and historical ties between the two nations. Stay updated on this historic visit and other breaking news from India and around the world on News24.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarks on a two-day visit to Trinidad and Tobago, a country with strong ties to India due to the large Indian-descended population. Modi is welcomed by Trinidadian Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and will have meetings with the country's leaders. He will also receive the nation's highest honor and address parliament. While celebrations are expected, some have raised concerns about Modi's human rights record.
The confirmation of a 19-month-old child as Pakistan's 14th polio case of 2025 highlights the continued struggle to eradicate the disease in the country. The distrust in vaccinations caused by a 2011 CIA operation using a fake vaccination campaign to locate Osama bin Laden has hindered the efforts of health workers. This setback serves as a reminder of the long road ahead in eradicating polio in Pakistan.
Pakistan's efforts to seek membership in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have hit a snag as Indonesia and Singapore are likely to join India in opposing Islamabad's bid. This move is part of Pakistan's recent strategy to internationalise its issues with India, which New Delhi has consistently opposed. However, China's influence over Cambodia may tip the scales in Pakistan's favor.
A young man from Taiwan, identified as Zhang, had both his feet amputated after spending 10 hours in a bucket of dry ice as part of a fraudulent insurance claim. He and his accomplice, Liao, faked an accident and submitted insurance claims worth over NT$41.26 million. The shocking incident has led to charges of fraud and intentional self-harm, with the mastermind, Liao, being sentenced to six years in prison. The case has sparked outrage on social media over the lengths people will go to for financial gain.