British, US lawmakers join growing call to release Chinmoy Krishna Das, ensure safety of Bangladeshi Hindus

Democratic US Congressman Brad Sherman has become the latest to lend his voice, calling on Bangladesh to release Chinmoy Krishna Das, the ISKCON priest who was arrested on charges of sedition. Sherman, who represents California's 32nd congressional district in the US Congress, also called on Bangladesh's interim government to ensure the protection of the minority Hindu community in the country.

CREDIT: Reuters

Interim government should protect Hindus:?Sherman

"Bangladesh's interim government has an absolute obligation to protect its Hindu minority and meaningfully address the protests of thousands of minority Hindus in outcry over the recent wave of attacks and harassment," Sherman said in a statement.

Earlier, a host of British MPs had also spoken up, calling on Bangladesh to release the Hindu priest and ensure the safety of religious minorities in the country.

Deeply concerning: Priti Patel

"The degree of escalation in violence is deeply concerning. What we are witnessing now is uncontrolled violence in many quarters. We are watching with horror and shock as further violence spreads in Bangladesh. The thoughts of all of us in the House are with the diaspora community here and those affected in Bangladesh. These are deeply disturbing reports," Conservative MP Priti Patel said.

CREDIT: Reuters

Ethnic cleansing of Hindus: Bob Blackman

"Hindus are suffering, with their houses being burned and their businesses ransacked. Priests have been arrested, and I understand that two more were arrested over the weekend, and 63 monks have been denied access to the country. The clear issue is an attempt at the ethnic cleansing of Hindus from Bangladesh. We want to hear not just words of piety but absolute condemnation of what is going on. Religious minorities are being deliberately persecuted because of their religion," Conservative MP Bob Blackman, who is the chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for British Hindus, said.

CREDIT: Reuters

Attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh

Bangladesh has seen sporadic violence targeting the homes, businesses, and places of worship of Hindus, following the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August.

The recent arrests of Chinmoy Krishna Das and two more ISKCON priests have only made the Hindus in Bangladesh feel more insecure about their future in the country.

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