Protest Planned During PM Tarique Rahman’s Chattogram Visit Over Chinmoy’s Release
A section of ISKCON followers is reportedly planning to stage a protest demanding the release of detained Chinmoy Krishna Das during Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s visit to Chattogram, according to intelligence sources.
The reported plan involves gathering in front of the Durga Puja pavilion at JM Sen Hall in Rahmatganj and holding placards demanding Chinmoy’s release. However, the final preparations and the expected number of participants could not be independently verified.
The prime minister is scheduled to visit the Durga Puja pavilion at JM Sen Hall on Tuesday evening, October 20, and exchange greetings with members of the Hindu community. Security has been strengthened at the venue and surrounding areas ahead of his visit.
According to intelligence sources, efforts are underway to gather hundreds of followers for the protest. If carried out, the plan could put additional pressure on security arrangements at the venue. No statement was available from an authorised representative of the organisation concerned.
Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, also known as Chandan Kumar Dhar, was the spokesperson for the Bangladesh Sammilita Sanatani Jagaran Jote.
On October 25, 2024, allegations of disrespecting the national flag emerged in connection with a gathering of members of the Sanatani community in Chattogram’s New Market area. On October 31 that year, Firoz Khan, then general secretary of the BNP’s Chandgaon Mohra ward unit, filed a sedition case with Kotwali Police Station. Chinmoy and 18 others were named in the case. He was arrested by the Detective Branch of police near Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka on November 25.
### Accused in Six Cases, Granted Bail in Four
According to his lawyer, Chinmoy faces six criminal cases involving allegations of sedition, the murder of lawyer Saiful Islam Alif, vandalism, assault and obstruction of government duties.
On November 26, 2024, after a court in Chattogram rejected his bail application, his followers staged protests and clashed with law enforcement personnel. Lawyer Saiful Islam Alif was beaten and hacked to death near the court premises that day. His father, Jamal Uddin, subsequently filed a murder case. Chinmoy was later shown as arrested in that case during the investigation.
On January 19, 2026, a speedy trial tribunal in Chattogram ordered the trial to begin after framing charges against 39 accused, including Chinmoy, in the murder case.
He has been granted bail by the High Court in four of the six cases. However, the bail order in the sedition case remains suspended. He also remains in custody as the trial in the lawyer’s murder case is ongoing.
Meanwhile, Chattogram Metropolitan Police said coordinated security measures had been taken at JM Sen Hall and nearby areas in connection with the prime minister’s visit and Durga Puja celebrations. Officials from the administration and law enforcement agencies inspected the venue ahead of the visit.
### Protest Planned During PM Tarique Rahman’s Chattogram Visit Over Chinmoy’s Release
Chattogram Correspondent:
A section of ISKCON followers is reportedly planning to stage a protest demanding the release of detained Chinmoy Krishna Das during Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s visit to Chattogram, according to intelligence sources.
The reported plan involves gathering in front of the Durga Puja pavilion at JM Sen Hall in Rahmatganj and holding placards demanding Chinmoy’s release. However, the final preparations and the expected number of participants could not be independently verified.
The prime minister is scheduled to visit the Durga Puja pavilion at JM Sen Hall on Tuesday evening, October 20, and exchange greetings with members of the Hindu community. Security has been strengthened at the venue and surrounding areas ahead of his visit.
According to intelligence sources, efforts are underway to gather hundreds of followers for the protest. If carried out, the plan could put additional pressure on security arrangements at the venue. No statement was available from an authorised representative of the organisation concerned.
Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, also known as Chandan Kumar Dhar, was the spokesperson for the Bangladesh Sammilita Sanatani Jagaran Jote.
On October 25, 2024, allegations of disrespecting the national flag emerged in connection with a gathering of members of the Sanatani community in Chattogram’s New Market area. On October 31 that year, Firoz Khan, then general secretary of the BNP’s Chandgaon Mohra ward unit, filed a sedition case with Kotwali Police Station. Chinmoy and 18 others were named in the case. He was arrested by the Detective Branch of police near Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka on November 25.
### Accused in Six Cases, Granted Bail in Four
According to his lawyer, Chinmoy faces six criminal cases involving allegations of sedition, the murder of lawyer Saiful Islam Alif, vandalism, assault and obstruction of government duties.
On November 26, 2024, after a court in Chattogram rejected his bail application, his followers staged protests and clashed with law enforcement personnel. Lawyer Saiful Islam Alif was beaten and hacked to death near the court premises that day. His father, Jamal Uddin, subsequently filed a murder case. Chinmoy was later shown as arrested in that case during the investigation.
On January 19, 2026, a speedy trial tribunal in Chattogram ordered the trial to begin after framing charges against 39 accused, including Chinmoy, in the murder case.
He has been granted bail by the High Court in four of the six cases. However, the bail order in the sedition case remains suspended. He also remains in custody as the trial in the lawyer’s murder case is ongoing.
Meanwhile, Chattogram Metropolitan Police said coordinated security measures had been taken at JM Sen Hall and nearby areas in connection with the prime minister’s visit and Durga Puja celebrations. Officials from the administration and law enforcement agencies inspected the venue ahead of the visit.
