The Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday expressed concern over the arrest and denial of bail to Chinmoy Krishna Das, spokesperson for the Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatan Jagran Jote. Issuing an official statement, the Ministry said that this incident comes amid a series of attacks on Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh, including arson, looting, theft, vandalism and desecration of religious sites.

Chinmoy Krishna Das, Bangladeshi Hindu monk was arrested on charges of sedition, and his bail application was rejected by the Chittagong Metropolitan Magistrate Court. Reportedly, the court noted that the police did not request Das’s remand, and directed his transfer to judicial custody. Furthermore, it also directed that the monk be granted all religious privileges during his detention.

The MEA in its statement urged the Bangladesh authorities to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and all minorities, including their right of freedom of peaceful assembly and expression. India also pointed out that the perpetrators of these acts remain at large, while charges have been pressed against Das for peacefully voicing demands. It added that the ministry has noted with deep concern the arrest and denial of bail to Shri Chinmoy Krishna Das.

As per Bangladeshi media reports, Chinmoy Krishna Prabhu was arrested on charges of disrespecting the Bangladeshi flag during a rally he addressed in October. The President of Pundarik Dham in Bangladesh, was one of the 18 charged with sedition over the hoisting of a saffron flag in Bangladesh. Reports said he had organised multiple rallies in Bangladesh to condemn what the protestors called atrocities against fellow devotees.

Meanwhile, Hindus in West Bengal have announced plans to protest and block the Petrapole Border if bail is not granted to ISKCON’s Chinmoy Das. Furthermore, senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari said that the party would hold protests today and tomorrow in front of the West Bengal Assembly over the situation in Bangladesh. A torch rally is also planned for this evening.

Massive violence broke out in Jammu and Kashmir’s Katra after the protestors pelted stones and clashed with the security forces during their protests against the proposed ropeway project along the trek route to the holy shrine of Vaishno Devi atop Trikuta hills. 

Reports said that the protestors hurled stones at the security personnel and damaged a CRPF vehicle. Paramvir Singh, Reasi SSP told media that the protest was going on peacefully for the past three days but on Monday some protesters pelted stones at the security forces. 

In Jammu and Kashmir’s Katra, the shopkeepers and labourers on Sunday took out a protest rally on the third day of their strike and held a sit-in outside the office of the subdivisional magistrate and Shalimar Park in Katra, the base camp for pilgrims visiting the shrine. 

A member of the joint committee of shopkeepers and pony and palanquin owners had said that the 72-hour strike has been extended by another 24 hours, adding that they will meet again and announce our future course of action. Notably, the three-day strike called by them began on Friday. 

Reports stated that while the businesses located at the base camp of Katra remained operational, shops lining the pilgrimage route from Ban Ganga to Charan Paduka observed closures. Nonetheless, the suspension of pony and palanquin services is causing hardships for the pilgrims, especially the elderly and differently-abled, to continue their sacred journey.

The residents have been complaining that the project would negatively impact the environment and their livelihoods. They asserted that the ropeway project would render them jobless, and also accused the authorities of pushing through the development without adequate consultation.

Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has assured the protestors of their employment. He mentioned that the committee headed by the Divisional Commissioner has been deliberating on the ropeway project and the rehabilitation of the locals. Furthermore, he also emphasised that the genuine concerns of the locals would be considered while the development of the region would not be ignored.

The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) had announced implementation of the long-awaited ropeway project to facilitate a safer and faster journey for the pilgrims. As per the project details, the ropeway will be developed with a cost of Rs 250 crore between Tarakote Marg to Sanji Chhat along the 12-kilometre track.

The Supreme Court on Monday refused to relax GRAP IV measures in Delhi and ordered the CAQM to consider relaxing norms for students. The apex court observed that several students cannot avail midday meals, online classes and cannot access air purifiers.

The court also pulled up the Delhi Police over no checkpoints at the borders of the city for checking the pollution measures and said that it was a serious lapse. A bench headed by Justice AS Oka stated that they would consider prosecution of the Delhi Police Commissioner under the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) Act for deploying police personnel at only 23 checkpoints, when Stage 4 of the GRAP was implemented.

Earlier, the court has also appointed 13 members from the court as commissioners to check whether the GRAP IV measures are being implemented or not. On Monday, the commissioners submitted their report to the court.

Subsequently, the court told the Delhi government that there were no checkposts at borders of the city and that the ban on trucks entering into the capital was not being followed properly.

The top court bench said that they were informed that no police or government personnel were present at the border checkpoints, and they were only manned by toll collection staff of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi. Mentioning that they will direct prosecution against all officials, the court questioned why the police were not directed to take action under Stage IV of the GRAP.

Responding, Advocate Shadan Farasat representing the Delhi government said that the CAQM had issued directions. Consecutively, the court asked him to show what written instructions were given by the state and the central government to the police on November 18. To this, Advocate Farasat said that directions were issued to post police personnel at 23 checkpoints where trucks could enter the city.

The court continued that this was negligence, adding that it will direct CAQM to prosecute the Delhi Police Commissioner.