By A Bangladesh court has again denied bail to Krishna Das Prabhu, an outspoken Hindu leader advocating for the protection of minority groups in the country. The court hearing, held in the southeastern city of Chattogram, saw Metropolitan Sessions Judge Saiful Islam reject his bail plea. Prabhu, 39, faces sedition charges for allegedly disrespecting the Bangladeshi flag during a rally.
His followers have been accused of violence after a previous bail hearing in November, which led to the killing of a Muslim public prosecutor. Prabhu is associated with the Bangladesh Sammilito Sanatan Jagaran Jote group and the ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness), known for its Hare Krishna movement.
Hindu groups have raised concerns over increasing attacks on Hindus since the fall of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government in August, alleging the interim government has failed to secure minority communities. Public Prosecutor Mofizul Haque Bhuiyan argued that granting bail to Prabhu could lead to more unrest, citing past incidents where Prabhu allegedly incited violence with the support of his followers.
Prabhu’s lawyer, Apurba Kumar Bhattacharjee, stated they would appeal the court’s decision. Radharamn Das, spokesperson for ISKCON Kolkata, expressed concerns over Prabhu’s deteriorating health in jail, calling him a voice for minorities in Bangladesh.
The situation in Bangladesh remains tense, with religious tensions escalating following the fall of Hasina’s regime, and ongoing concerns over the security of minority communities.
