Ousted ex-Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Photo: PTI Ousted ex-Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Photo: PTI 
Amid the ongoing unrest in the country over the detention of the a prominent Hindu leader, Bangladesh's deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday condemned the arrest and demanded his immediate release.
"A top leader of the Sanatan religious community has been unjustly arrested, he must be released immediately," Hasina said.
In a sharp political dig at the interim Bangladesh government, Hasina, the Awami League president, said the "unconstitutional" government led by Muhammad Yunus has failed to provide security to common people, as per the party's post on social media platform X.
আওয়ামী লীগ সভানেত্রী বঙ্গবন্ধুকন্যা শেখ হাসিনার বিবৃতিঃ চট্টগ্রামে একজন আইনজীবীকে হত্যা করা হয়েছে, এই হত্যার তীব্র প্রতিবাদ জানাচ্ছি। এই হত্যাকাণ্ডের সঙ্গে যারা জড়িত তাদেরকে খুঁজে বের করে দ্রুত শাস্তি দিতে হবে। এই ঘটনার মধ্য দিয়ে চরমভাবে মানবাধিকার লঙ্ঘিত হয়েছে। একজন… pic.twitter.com/b7yjlyj9Et
— Awami League (@albd1971) November 28, 2024She said that a temple had been burnt in Chattogram, recalling that mosques, shrines, churches, monasteries and homes of the Ahmadiyya community were attacked, vandalised, looted and set on fire in the past.
"Religious freedom and security of life and property of people of all communities should be ensured," said Hasina, who was ousted on August 5 after a mass protest against her government.
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"Those involved in this murder should be found and punished quickly. Human rights have been grossly violated through this incident. A lawyer went to perform his professional duties, and those who beat him to death were terrorists. Whoever they are must be punished," Hasina said.
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Hasina also appealed to Bangladeshi people to stand united against this kind of "terrorism". "It is important to ensure the safety of the lives and property of the common people," she said.
What led to the arrest?Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, a prominent Hindu leader in Bangladesh, was arrested under sedition charges at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Monday over the hoisting of a saffron flag and highlighting the selective targeting of minorities in Bangladesh. Das has been a vocal advocate for the rights of Hindus in the country.
Chittagong's Metropolitan Magistrate Court on Tuesday rejected Das's bail application. Bangladesh police on Monday arrested the leader of a Hindu outfit 'Sammilita Sanatani Jote' from the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport area in Dhaka over the charges of sedition.
The court in Bangladesh sent the ISKCON priest to judicial custody as the police did not seek his remand. The court granted him all religious privileges during his detention.
What did MEA say?In its official statement, India's Ministry of Exteral Affairs (MEA) said it has noted with "deep concern the arrest and denial of bail" to Das who is also the spokesperson of the Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatan Jagran Jote.
"This incident follows the multiple attacks on Hindus and other minorities by extremist elements in Bangladesh," it said.
"There are several documented cases of arson and looting of minorities' homes and business establishments, as well as theft and vandalism and desecration of deities and temples", the MEA flagged.
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In a sharp reaction to MEA's statement, Bangladesh said that India's reaction was “unfounded” and stood contrary to the spirit of friendship between the two countries.
“Such unfounded statements not only misrepresent facts but also stand contrary to the spirit of friendship and understanding between the two neighbouring countries.”
'Religious Fundamentalist': Bangladesh seeks ISKCON banBangladesh government on Wednesday called the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) a "religious fundamentalist organisation". They were responding to a writ petition filed in the High Court seeking a ban on ISKCON in Bangladesh.
In view of the escalating situation, the International Society for Krishna ISKCON Kolkata on Wednesday said they have apprised the central government about the current scenario.
PTI quoted the ISKCON spokesperson Radharaman Das saying that "the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das in Bangladesh was the last example of the continuing attackstusk casino, and persecution of ISKCON monks and devotees as well as members of minority communities including Hindus''.