Dhaka police arrested Chinmoy Prabhu, also known as Sri Chinmay Krishna Das Prabhu, a revered Hindu monk and leader of Bangladesh’s Hindu minority, during a peaceful protest on Monday. Prabhu, an ISKCON monk and vocal advocate for Hindu minorities, was taken into custody at Dhaka Airport and reportedly transferred to the Detective Branch office of Dhaka Metropolitan Police on Minto Road, according to sources.

The arrest comes amid escalating concerns over the safety and rights of Hindu minorities in Bangladesh, a community that constitutes about 8% of the nation’s population. Recent incidents, including the desecration of Hindu temples and a growing social media campaign against the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), have further heightened tensions.

In a related development, viral videos depict alarming attacks on Hindu temples, including the Vishnu temple in Mallikpara near a Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) camp and the Kali Mata Mandir in Uttar Magura, Kushtia Sadar Upazila. In Mallikpara, Islamists allegedly broke into the Vishnu temple by tampering with its gate lock and looted donation boxes. At the Kali Mata Mandir, radicals reportedly defaced the idol of Goddess Kali, sparking outrage within the Hindu community.

The incidents are part of a broader pattern of violence targeting Hindus, who traditionally supported Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League. Since Hasina's ouster on August 5, 2024, attacks on Hindu establishments have increased, exacerbating fears of insecurity among religious minorities.

Adding to the unease, a social media campaign has called for banning ISKCON, branding it a terrorist organisation. This movement gained traction after an ISKCON temple was among the first sites attacked post-Hasina’s removal. Accusations that ISKCON was linked to unrest on November 5 have further fuelled discord.

On the political front, Bangladesh’s newly appointed Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin and four commissioners were sworn in on Sunday. The interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, appointed the commission after the previous Election Commission resigned in September following Sheikh Hasina’s ouster.

The commission includes retired civil servants, military officers, and judges. Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed administered the oath of office, marking a step toward political stability amid calls for electoral reforms.

Meanwhile, Indian Americans in Silicon Valley held a solidarity rally at Milpitas City Hall to condemn violence against Hindus in Bangladesh and Canada. Community leaders urged US leaders to hold the respective governments accountable for safeguarding Hindu minorities. Slogans like "Stop Islamist terrorism, protect Bangladeshi-Hindus" resonated among participants, reflecting global concerns over these issues.

The targeting of Hindu establishments and the campaign against ISKCON highlight the urgent need for measures to protect minority rights and foster communal harmony in Bangladesh.