Dear Sanatani Society,You are going through a challenging transitional period. As you know, DB Police arrested Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, spokesperson of the organization and principal of Pundarik Dam ISKCON Temple, on Monday (November 25) evening from Shahjalal Airport in Dhaka on his way back to Chittagong after the rally of Bangladesh Sammilitho Sanatani Jagron Jot in Rangpur.
After the arrest, Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari was taken to the DB office in Mintu Road, Dhaka. At the same time, the Sanatani Society of different places in Bangladesh including Rangamati Khagrachari, Dhaka, and Chittagong erupted in a protest demanding the release of Chinmoy Krishna Das. At the same time, when the sit-in program was called in Shahbagh, the leaders and workers of Jubadol attacked the Sanatani community present there with sticks and rods. Many Sanatani people including Kushal Baran Chakraborty, a teacher of Sanskrit Department of Chittagong University, were injured there.
The next morning on November 26, Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari was taken to Chittagong court in a case filed by BNP leader Firoz Khan on a false charge of insulting the national flag of Bangladesh at Kotwali police station in Chittagong.
It should be noted that Bangladesh Sanatan Jagron Manch held its first rally on October 25 at Laldighi ground in Chittagong with 8-point demands of the Sanatani Society. After that rally, BNP leader Firoz Khan, who was later expelled by BNP, filed a case of sedition in Chittagong mentioning the placing of an ocher flag on top of the national flag on the pillar at Newmarket Zero Point.
On Tuesday (November 26) around 9 am, Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari was brought to the court in Chittagong under tight security. After that at around 12:15 PM, Chittagong 6th Metropolitan Magistrate Court Judge Kazi Shariful Islam refused bail and ordered to send him to jail. Immediately after the order, Hindus started a peaceful protest outside the assembly demanding the release of Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari.
It should be noted that Bangladesh Sanatan Jagron Manch held its first rally on October 25 at Laldighi ground in Chittagong with 8-point demands of the Sanatani Society. After that rally, BNP leader Firoz Khan, who was later expelled by BNP, filed a case of sedition in Chittagong mentioning the placing of an ocher flag on top of the national flag on the pillar at Newmarket Zero Point.
On Tuesday (November 26) around 9 am, Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari was brought to the court in Chittagong under tight security. After that at around 12:15 PM, Chittagong 6th Metropolitan Magistrate Court Judge Kazi Shariful Islam refused bail and ordered to send him to jail. Immediately after the order, Hindus started a peaceful protest outside the assembly demanding the release of Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari.
Later at around 12:30 PM, Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari appealed to his fans and followers to calm down through the hand microphone provided by the police from inside the prison van. He said, "We respect the law. We are not against the country and Government. Sanatani’s are partners in the country that is expected to be built in the 5th August coup. We will not do anything that makes the country unstable and destroys the peach. Make a peaceful movement by controlling emotions and turning them into strength.”
Announcing the continuation of the movement, he said, "Our 8-point demand is a fundamental demand. This is not an unreasonable claim. You will continue the movement until it is fulfilled. But please ensure the stability of the state and mutual harmony. This is what I expect from you.”
The Hindus protesting in the court premises surrounded the prison van and were dispersed by sound grenades and lathi charges at 2.50 pm. Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari was later taken to jail in a police pickup. Along with the Police, Army, Border Guard Bangladesh, APBN, and SWAT team members were also present.
At one point, when the law and order forces chased the Sanatani supporters to disperse, a reactionary group detained the Sanatani, beat them up, and threw bricks at them when the Sanatani people wanted to leave the area. At that time, Hindu lawyers who stood in court for Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari were attacked in their chambers. Chambers of 7 Hindu lawyers were vandalized. Besides, several lawyers were seriously injured in the attack. Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari's lawyer Reagan Acharya also sustained serious head injuries. More than 700 Hindus were injured due to baton and brick pelting by the administration. As many as 87 Hindus were seriously injured.
Those who have been admitted and treated in various private hospitals including Chittagong Medical College Hospital, and Chittagong General Hospital.
On that day, a group of reactionary Muslims, including the police, entered the court chanting religious slogans to attack the Sanatani’s who had taken shelter in the lane of Rangam Community Center opposite the main gate. At one point, when they chased their counter, lawyer Saiful Islam Alif stumbled and some miscreants attacked him in front of Rangam Tower and seriously injured him, which was seen by people all over the country in a video spread on social media. He was rescued from there and taken to Chittagong Medical College Hospital where the doctor on duty declared him dead. We are also sorry and saddened by the death of lawyer Saiful Islam. Because Sanatani believes in peaceful coexistence, does not believe in attacking anyone. We demanded to watch the video footage and bring the real culprits to justice.
On that day, a group of reactionary Muslims, including the police, entered the court chanting religious slogans to attack the Sanatani’s who had taken shelter in the lane of Rangam Community Center opposite the main gate. At one point, when they chased their counter, lawyer Saiful Islam Alif stumbled and some miscreants attacked him in front of Rangam Tower and seriously injured him, which was seen by people all over the country in a video spread on social media. He was rescued from there and taken to Chittagong Medical College Hospital where the doctor on duty declared him dead. We are also sorry and saddened by the death of lawyer Saiful Islam. Because Sanatani believes in peaceful coexistence, does not believe in attacking anyone. We demanded to watch the video footage and bring the real culprits to justice.
But we saw that on the night of November 26 in this incident, with the silent support of the administration, the houses and temples of innocent Hindus of Sevok Colony were attacked in the evening. Meanwhile, hundreds of houses of Hindus were vandalized, looted, and set on fire in Sevok Colony. 2 houses and 2 shops were burnt. 2 temples were also set on fire. The 2 temples are 1) Ma Shitola temple and 2) Ma Monsa temple. Besides, two more temples were attacked that night. Which were 3) Firingibazar Loknath Temple and 4) Hazari Gali Ma Kali Temple. The administration did not take any action regarding the attack on these temples. The administration arrested those who were injured in the attack that day. 30 people were arrested from Sevok Colony and other places in Kotwali during the night operation of joint forces that day.
On Tuesday (November 26) and Wednesday (November 27), three separate cases have been filed at Chittagong Kotwali Police Station. Among these cases made by the police as plaintiffs, one case named 49 people and accused 600 to 700 unknown persons in the case of attack on the police in the court premises, 2nd case named 14 people and 300 to 400 unknown persons accused in the incident in front of Rangam Tower area and 3rd case has been filed against 250 to 300 unidentified persons with 13 accused in the Kotwali intersection incident. In all, 76 were named accused and 1400 unidentified accused in three cases.
According to Kotwali police sources, 35 people were arrested in three days from November 26 to November 28. Out of 35 people, 14 were identified in Alif's murder after watching the video. Others have been identified from photos during protests and clashes. Three days after the murder of lawyer Saiful Islam Alif, his relatives filed two cases. Two cases were registered at Chittagong Kotyali police station on Friday (November 29) night. His father Jamal Uddin and younger brother Khan A Alam filed two cases as plaintiffs. Jamal Uddin filed a murder case against 31 people and 10 to 15 unknown people. In the case of vandalism and attack on the court premises, Saiful's brother Khan A Alam has filed another case against 400 to 500 anonymous people, mentioning the names of 116 people as the plaintiffs. In these two cases, 147 people were named and 515 people were made unknown accused.
After that, another case was filed on Tuesday (December 3) with 29 people including Ward Councilors and Awami League leaders accused in the incident of violence in the Chittagong court premises. Besides, 40/50 more people have been made unknown accused. OC Abdul Karim told the media that a person named Mohammad Ullah filed the case at the city's Kotwali police station. 1965 persons have been identified as unknown accused out of 252 persons named in total 6 cases. In all these cases, 98 percent are Hindus have been accused which is unethical and targeting to destroy Sanatoni society.
After Friday prayers (December 29), a protest march was taken out in Andarqilla mosque premises after the Hefazat Islam rally demanding the banning of ISKCON. After that procession, there have been attacks on Hindu houses, shops, and temples in Patharghata, a Hindu-dominant area of Kotwali. At that time, the Tawhidi Muslim crowd attacked Maa Shiteleshwari Temple and Jagat Bandhu Ashram in Patharghata in front of the Police. Mr. Adilur Rahman, Industrial Adviser of the present Government visited with the district administration team. Unfortunately, during the inspection, a woman who described the incident to Mr. Adilur Rahman was dragged away from the front by the administration. So, it appears that there has been an attempt to hide the incident.
The biggest thing is that Saiful's brother Khan A Alam stated 116 people as plaintiffs in the case of vandalism and attack on the court premises to prevent Sanatani community and Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari from giving legal assistance, 70 lawyers and 2 innocent journalists were accused in the case. So, on December 3 at the Chinmoy Krishna Das re-bail hearing, no Hindu lawyer could stand for fear of life crisis. Because on Monday (December 2), 9 accused in the case of the murder of lawyer Saiful and 8 accused in the case of assault on the Police were produced from the jail in Chittagong court. Meanwhile, the police applied for a 7-day remand to interrogate 8 accused in the case of the attack on the police. Advocate Nezam Uddin represented the defendants Mohammad Delwar and Mohammad Nuru as a lawyer. Nezam Uddin is PP Mofizul Haque Bhuiyar Jr. of Chittagong Metropolitan Sessions Judge Court. Because of this, the angry lawyers held a protest march demanding his resignation. Finally, Nezam Uddin resigned from the post of Additional Public Prosecutor in writing in front of the senior lawyers.
The biggest thing is that Saiful's brother Khan A Alam stated 116 people as plaintiffs in the case of vandalism and attack on the court premises to prevent Sanatani community and Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari from giving legal assistance, 70 lawyers and 2 innocent journalists were accused in the case. So, on December 3 at the Chinmoy Krishna Das re-bail hearing, no Hindu lawyer could stand for fear of life crisis. Because on Monday (December 2), 9 accused in the case of the murder of lawyer Saiful and 8 accused in the case of assault on the Police were produced from the jail in Chittagong court. Meanwhile, the police applied for a 7-day remand to interrogate 8 accused in the case of the attack on the police. Advocate Nezam Uddin represented the defendants Mohammad Delwar and Mohammad Nuru as a lawyer. Nezam Uddin is PP Mofizul Haque Bhuiyar Jr. of Chittagong Metropolitan Sessions Judge Court. Because of this, the angry lawyers held a protest march demanding his resignation. Finally, Nezam Uddin resigned from the post of Additional Public Prosecutor in writing in front of the senior lawyers.
On Tuesday (December 3) at 11:15 a.m., a group of lawyers started protesting against the killing of Alif in the Chittagong court premises. They warned the protest rally. They said, 'Until ISKCON leader Chinmoy Das is arrested in the Alif murder case, the lawyers' movement will continue. At that time, Shaukat Osman, the former APS advocate of Zafar Islam Chowdhury, the former parliament member of Banshkhali, said, "We want to say clearly - if anyone files a power of attorney on behalf of Chinmoy Das, he should be beaten up in court immediately." The certificate must be canceled by the Bar Councillor.
No lawyer could stand on behalf of Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari due to such continuous attacks and cases and fear of public beating. Due to this, the court postponed the bail hearing by one month to January 2, 2025. Creating an environment where lawyers are not allowed to stand or cannot stand in court is completely contrary to human rights. Later, the state's lawyer lied to the media that the accused's lawyer was not present. Pretending that nothing has happened, and everything is normal is a blatant interference in the independence of the judiciary. We are drawing the attention of human rights organizations in the country and abroad.
Even on Tuesday night (December 3), hundreds of houses and businesses of Hindus were looted in Doara Bazar of Sunamganj, Sylhet, on the accusation of religious blasphemy by a Hindu youth. Even though the Government arrested the accused youth yesterday, no action has been taken against the looters. Even the journalists have been asked not to report on these issues by the people of the administration. This proves that the government is trying to hide the communal attacks. It is increasing the culture of impunity.
Finally, we want to say to the current Government, like the previous Governments, that it is far from setting up a commission to judge the incidents of minority torture after August 5, on the contrary, you are denying these stories and fabrications, which is bleeding in our hearts. As the last Hasina government has denied for more than 15 years.
As has been done in 2001 Vola Charfashion violence , 2012 Fhathehapur violence , 2017 Gonghachara violence, and 2021 bloody Sharad and last 2022, 2023 violence.
We would like to say, according to your comments, if there is no persecution of minorities, Hindus are under good condition, so where is the difficulty in accepting the 8 points? Where is the difficulty in investigating the events behind the minority commission? Misinformation is spread because you avoid facts or want to suppress information. We hoped you would judge. We will build an egalitarian society, but we are disappointed by the kind of repression you have done in the incident of Hazari Golly in the Chittagong, filed a case. We were demanding a judicial inquiry into the incident. You have only remained in a culture of political blame and tagged us as an Indian agent and an Awami League agent. When communal racist groups marched in different parts of the country by saying "Leave Bangladesh who has India as Uncle’s house" and “Attack them and kill them one by one”, we are hopelessly suffering from a crisis of confidence in you.
We would like to say, according to your comments, if there is no persecution of minorities, Hindus are under good condition, so where is the difficulty in accepting the 8 points? Where is the difficulty in investigating the events behind the minority commission? Misinformation is spread because you avoid facts or want to suppress information. We hoped you would judge. We will build an egalitarian society, but we are disappointed by the kind of repression you have done in the incident of Hazari Golly in the Chittagong, filed a case. We were demanding a judicial inquiry into the incident. You have only remained in a culture of political blame and tagged us as an Indian agent and an Awami League agent. When communal racist groups marched in different parts of the country by saying "Leave Bangladesh who has India as Uncle’s house" and “Attack them and kill them one by one”, we are hopelessly suffering from a crisis of confidence in you.
Yes, we are also for peace, for prosperity. If you want to sit down with Sanatani Society, first release Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, the spokesperson of the organization. Then sit with him along with our saint (sadhu) parishad. On behalf of 3 crore Sanatani, we promise that if you take steps to implement the 8 points, we will leave the field of agitation and stand for you. We will support those who will work for our 8 points. Moreover, the Sanatani society will not accept them if they sit with any agent other than the Sadhu Parishad and coordinator of Sanatani community's Jagron Jot. They will not accept any decision. So, stop trying to suppress your voice just because torture is not happening. We also want mutual coexistence. Sanatani’s have given their lives in the anti-discrimination movement since the Great Liberation War. Please, don't discriminate against our sacrifices.
Our request to the Sanatani community is to provide information about all the attacks that have taken place since August 5 to our bssjj108@gmail.com. Those who have been arrested for blasphemy should send the information and copy of the case by December 15. We will hand over all information to the Government.
Signed
Council of saints and coordinators
Bangladesh Sammilitho Sanatani Jagron Jot
Our request to the Sanatani community is to provide information about all the attacks that have taken place since August 5 to our bssjj108@gmail.com. Those who have been arrested for blasphemy should send the information and copy of the case by December 15. We will hand over all information to the Government.
Signed
Council of saints and coordinators
Bangladesh Sammilitho Sanatani Jagron Jot
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