Bangladesh's financial authorities have frozen the bank accounts of 17 individuals associated with the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), including its former member Chinmoy Krishna Das, for 30 days. The Financial Intelligence Unit of Bangladesh Bank (BFIU) issued directives on Thursday to banks and financial institutions, suspending transactions on these accounts, the Prothom Alo newspaper reported.

The BFIU also requested account-related information, including transaction details and records of businesses owned by the 17 individuals, within three working days. The move comes amidst escalating tensions following the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das, a prominent Hindu monk and former ISKCON spokesperson, on charges of sedition.

Chinmoy Krishna Das, also known as Krishna Prabhu Das, was detained on Monday at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport by the Detective Branch of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police. He was subsequently denied bail by a Chattogram court and sent to jail. His arrest is linked to a sedition case, which arose following the death of a lawyer during a clash between security forces and supporters of the Hindu leader.

Das, who was associated with the Bangladesh Jatiya Hindu Mohajot (BJHM) and the Bangladesh Sammilita Sanatani Jagran Jote, has been a vocal advocate for the protection of minority rights. His detention has triggered widespread protests and condemnation from various groups, both within Bangladesh and globally.

News of Das's arrest spread quickly on social media, leading to protests in Chittagong and other parts of the country. Demonstrators marched and rallied at the Cheragi intersection in Chittagong, demanding his immediate release. Videos circulated online showed clashes between police and protesters, with reports of security forces using force to disperse the crowds.

Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, now in exile, strongly condemned the arrest and called for Das’s release. In a statement, she said, "A top leader of the Sanatan religious community has been unjustly arrested; he must be released immediately." She also highlighted incidents of violence and persecution against minority communities across Bangladesh since her resignation in August.

Hasina added, "A temple has been burnt in Chittagong. Previously, mosques, shrines, churches, monasteries, and houses of the Ahmadiyya community were attacked, vandalized, and looted. Religious freedom and security of life and property of people of all communities should be ensured."

The Bangladesh Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Oikya Parishad previously expressed concerns about rising violence against minorities under the interim government led by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus. In an open letter, the group highlighted repeated incidents of vandalism, looting, arson, and land grabbing targeting minority communities.

The ongoing crackdown has drawn criticism from various quarters, with activists pointing to a pattern of increasing hostility toward religious minorities in the country. Reports of attacks on places of worship, including temples and shrines, have raised concerns about the safety and rights of minority communities.

ISKCON distanced itself from Das but reiterated its support for his rights and freedom. In a statement released on Thursday, the organisation said, "ISKCON has not, and does not, distance itself from supporting Chinmoy Krishna Das’s rights and freedom for peacefully calling for protecting Hindus and their places of worship. We also support, along with all other Sanatani groups, protection and safety of Hindus and re-establishing an atmosphere of peaceful coexistence with minorities in Bangladesh."

However, ISKCON clarified that Das no longer officially represents the organisation in Bangladesh, a position it has maintained for several months.

Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change in the interim government, addressed the controversy surrounding Das's arrest. During a press briefing in Dhaka, she stated, "No discussion was held in the government to ban ISKCON in Bangladesh. Many may raise demands. People may take programs to press home their demands. We are not mixing the offences of organisations with the offences of individuals."

Hasan added that Das was arrested on specific allegations and is now under trial. "He may be convicted in court or not," she said, emphasising that the legal process will determine his fate.

The arrest has drawn severe backlash from Hindu communities worldwide. Protests and statements from religious and advocacy groups have underscored concerns about the erosion of minority rights in Bangladesh. Many have called for stronger international scrutiny of the situation, urging the Bangladeshi government to uphold religious freedom and ensure the safety of its minority populations.

The unfolding developments in Bangladesh highlight the precarious state of minority rights in the country. With growing tensions and global attention, the government faces mounting pressure to address allegations of persecution and create an environment of inclusivity and coexistence.