Arrested Bangladeshi seer was suspended by ISKCON over minor misconduct: Report
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Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, the Hindu religious leader at the centre of a contentious sedition case in Bangladesh, remains suspended from his role within the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).
The suspension, implemented in October last year by ISKCON’s international child protection office, came after allegations of misconduct were made against him by children. As part of the suspension, Brahmachari was barred from engaging in activities such as leading kirtans and was prohibited from having contact with minors.
The child protection office within ISKCON has taken this action to facilitate an ongoing investigation, though details of the specific allegations against Brahmachari have not been disclosed.
However, ISKCON officials in Bangladesh have stated that Brahmachari’s suspension followed allegations of misconduct and that he had violated orders to avoid participation in the organisation’s activities after the accusations surfaced.
The investigation into the allegations has faced delays, reportedly due to challenges related to Brahmachari’s cooperation with the process. As the investigation continues, ISKCON has distanced itself from Brahmachari’s statements, emphasising that the organisation would not be held accountable for his actions.
Brahmachari was arrested in Dhaka on November 25, 2024, on charges of sedition, and the following day, a Chattogram court ordered his detention. The arrest followed claims that he and others instigated a crowd to replace a Bangladeshi flag with a saffron-coloured flag associated with ISKCON. This incident reportedly occurred on the same day that former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled the country.
Following the arrest, clashes broke out between Brahmachari’s supporters and the police, during which a prosecutor was killed. The case has stirred tensions, drawing attention from both Bangladesh and India. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) expressed concern over the handling of the case, stating that it expected Bangladesh's legal system to address the matter fairly, while also highlighting the growing instances of violence and provocation against religious minorities in the country.
In the aftermath of the violence, India’s government raised its concerns over the security of religious minorities in Bangladesh, particularly during the period surrounding Hasina’s ouster and the Durga Puja celebrations. The MEA also emphasised its position on protecting minority communities, calling for the Bangladeshi government to ensure their safety.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s foreign ministry condemned the actions of Hindu protesters in Kolkata, who burned an effigy of interim chief adviser Muhammad Yunus outside the country’s deputy high commission. The ministry also condemned the burning of the Bangladeshi flag at the diplomatic mission, noting a sense of insecurity among the diplomatic staff in Kolkata.
