Dhaka: A Bangladesh court on Wednesday granted bail to Chinmoy Krishna Das, a former leader of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), in a sedition case that sparked national debate and widespread protests.

The bail was approved following a hearing before a High Court bench, as reported by The Daily Star. Das had earlier been denied bail by a Chittagong court on Tuesday and was subsequently sent to jail.

Das, also known by his birth name Chandan Kumar Dhar, was arrested in connection with a sedition case filed on 30 October 2023, naming him and 18 others. The charges stem from an incident on 25 October during a rally at Laldighi Maidan in Chattogram, where a saffron flag was allegedly raised above Bangladesh’s national flag—an act that led to significant controversy.

The arrest of Das triggered public outcry, with human rights groups and civil society members calling for his immediate release, describing the charges as politically motivated.

Who is Chinmoy Krishna Das?

Chinmoy Krishna Das serves as the spokesperson for the Bangladesh Sammilita Sanatani Jagran Jote, a coalition advocating for the rights and protection of minority communities in the country. A well-known figure in Bangladesh’s Sanatani (Hindu) community, he has been at the forefront of demands for a dedicated minority affairs ministry, a special tribunal to address cases of persecution, and the enactment of laws safeguarding minority rights.

Born in Satkania Upazila of Chittagong, Das rose to prominence at a young age for his religious discourses, earning the nickname “Shishu Bokta” or “child orator.” He held the position of ISKCON’s divisional secretary for Chittagong from 2016 to 2022.

In recent years, Das gained further attention for organising mass rallies, including the October 25 gathering in Chattogram and another on 22 November in Rangpur, which reignited national discussions around minority rights and religious identity in Bangladesh.