Chattogram, Bangladesh – A confrontation between law enforcement and followers of former ISKCON leader Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari turned violent on Tuesday, resulting in the death of a trainee lawyer and injuries to 25 others. The clash erupted on the premises of the Chattogram court during proceedings to send Chinmoy to jail on charges of sedition.
The deceased, identified as 35-year-old Saiful Islam Alif, succumbed to multiple stab wounds to his neck and head, according to Nibedita Ghosh, the duty doctor at Chattogram Medical College Hospital. Additional Deputy Commissioner Kazi Md Tarek Aziz of Chattogram Metropolitan Police stated that the young lawyer sustained critical injuries during the skirmish.
In response to the violent outbreak, interim government chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus condemned the incident and mandated a thorough investigation, emphasizing the government’s commitment to preserve communal harmony. Local Government Advisor Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan echoed the sentiment, warning that the government would decisively act against any actions that threaten the nation’s unity.
Tensions escalated when supporters of Chinmoy, who also serves as the spokesperson for Bangladesh Sammilita Sanatani Jagran Jote, a Hindu community platform, attempted to block a prison van transporting him. As the confrontation intensified, police and members of the Border Guard Bangladesh were compelled to use tear gas and batons to disperse the crowd. The court later denied Chinmoy bail, citing the gravity of the allegations.
Meanwhile, Sumon Kumar Roy, general secretary of the Bangladesh Sammilita Sanatani Jagran Jote, during a press conference at Dhakeshwari temple in Dhaka, claimed that the protest had been infiltrated by provocateurs aiming to incite communal discord.
The sedition charges against Chinmoy and 19 others originate from a rally held at Chattogram’s Laldighi Maidan on October 25. The legal proceedings have sparked further protests in cities like Barishal and Feni, leading to significant public disruptions, including road blockages and a torch procession by Dhaka University students.
Chinmoy, a former key figure in ISKCON, had been previously expelled from the organization. He now heads Pundarik Dham in Hathazari, Chattogram, and actively engages in community initiatives through his leadership role in the Bangladesh Sammilita Sanatani Jagran Jote.
In light of these events, heightened security measures have been implemented across key locations in Chattogram and Dhaka to prevent further unrest.
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