The Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit or BFIU has directed Mullerkhan Bank and others to freeze 17 bank accounts out of which one belongs to Chinmoy Krishna Das, former member of ISKCON. This action has followed the arrest of Das on charges of sedition this week..
Why Were the Bank Accounts Frozen?
Its Bankers’ Federation of India Union has directed the banks and financial organization to stop all transaction for at least 90 days. They also wanted to receive new transaction histories of these accounts within three working days. It comes as part of ongoing investigation following the clashes between the Hindu community and supporters of security forces.
Why Was Chinmoy Das Arrested?
Chinmoy Krishna Das was arrested at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Monday. He was charged with sedition and on October 30, he had cases filed at Chattogram’s Kotwali Police Station. Das and 18 others seen poisoning the minds of people, disrespecting our national flag at a Hindu community rally in Chattogram.
His supporters protested when a court denied Das bail and sent him to jail. When contacted about the allegations against Das and the violence in the country, ISKCON Bangladesh said it was not involved in any of the violence and termed the allegations levelled against Das as baseless.
Concerns Raised by India
India has recently conveyed apprehensions to Bangladesh about the minority community, or the arrest of Chinmoy Das. Addressing theUnited Nations General Assembly, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar highlighted the plight of Hindu and other persecuted minorities in the region. During the past several months, Hindu worshippers have come under attack with temples being among some targets.
Court Decision on ISKCON
The Dhaka High Court recently rejected a petition to ban ISKCON. The court said the situation did not need their intervention and trusted the government to maintain law and order.
