By Sanjoy Kumar Barua
A Bangladeshi court has once again denied bail to Krishna Das Prabhu, an outspoken advocate for minority rights, who has emerged as a prominent figure among the Hindu community in the country.
The bail plea was rejected by Metropolitan Sessions Judge Saiful Islam during a hearing in Chattogram, according to Public Prosecutor Mofizul Haque Bhuiyan.
Prabhu, 39, did not attend the hearing, which took place under heightened security measures, including a significant police and military presence.
The case against Prabhu has drawn widespread attention, particularly after violent clashes erupted during a previous bail hearing in November.
The unrest allegedly involved his followers and resulted in the death of a Muslim public prosecutor, further escalating tensions.
Prabhu, who serves as the spokesperson for the Bangladesh Sammilito Sanatan Jagaran Jote and is affiliated with the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), faces charges of sedition and disrespecting the Bangladeshi flag during a rally in Chattogram.
Public Prosecutor Bhuiyan emphasized the gravity of the charges, citing concerns over national security and public order.
“He faces serious charges, including sedition, which implicate the security and sovereignty of our country,” Bhuiyan stated.
“Granting him bail could potentially incite anarchy, as seen in the past when his calls for protests led to violence on court premises. We opposed his bail plea, believing it could be misused.”
Prabhu’s legal counsel, Apurba Kumar Bhattacharjee, announced plans to appeal the decision, asserting that his client is being unfairly targeted.
Meanwhile, Radharamn Das, ISKCON’s vice president and spokesperson based in Kolkata, India, expressed grave concern over Prabhu’s deteriorating health in custody.
“Prabhu has become a beacon of hope for minorities in Bangladesh,” Das remarked. “He represents their voice and symbolizes their struggle for equality and security.”
The charges against Prabhu come against the backdrop of escalating religious tensions following the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s nearly 16-year government in August.
Hindu advocacy groups allege that hundreds of attacks on Hindus have occurred since the political transition, which saw Hasina forced into exile in India after a student-led revolution.
The interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, has faced sharp criticism from minority groups and international observers for allegedly failing to ensure their safety.
Yunus and his allies, however, have dismissed such claims as exaggerated.
The family of Saiful Islam Alif, the prosecutor killed during the November unrest, has filed two separate cases implicating 58 Hindu lawyers accused of vandalism and carrying explosives.
As tensions simmer, the Bangladeshi government has formally requested India to extradite Sheikh Hasina to face charges of “massacres, killings, and crimes against humanity.”
While India has confirmed receipt of the request, it has refrained from commenting further.
The situation underscores the precarious state of religious and political dynamics in Bangladesh, as advocates for minority rights continue to navigate an increasingly volatile landscape.
