Jailed Hindu rights leader Chinmoy Krishna Das was granted five-hour parole by Bangladesh authorities on Thursday to attend his mother’s funeral.
His arrest sparked protests and communal tensions in Bangladesh. He was subsequently booked in several additional cases, including charges of murder, attempted murder and vandalism. He is facing six criminal cases in total and has been granted bail by the High Court in four cases so far.
Das was arrested in November 2024 on sedition charges for allegedly disrespecting the national flag.
Chattogram District Deputy Commissioner (DC) Mohammad Zahidul Islam Mia ordered Das’s release on parole following an application from his family, PTI reported, citing The Daily Star . Poonawalla also questioned India’s response, saying, “But with all our global influence, our power, and our stature we should have secured basic human rights for a Hindu priest! That also is our jobs! He added, “Where else do Hindus have hope of international pressure but from Bharat! Poonawalla called on India to “use our voice, assert our regional power, show spine and secure & cement our territorial dominance!! BJP leader CT Ravi also criticised the decision, saying, “A dying mother wanted to see her son, but Bangladesh’s unjust system denied Chinmoy Krishna Das even that final moment. After her death, he was given just five hours of parole to perform her last rites. He added, “A system that denies a son the right to be with his dying mother cannot call itself just.
Chinmoy’s mother, Sandhya Rani Dhar, 70, died early Thursday while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Hathazari.
“Following an application by his brother over the death of his mother, we have passed an order to release Chinmoy Krishna from jail on parole for five hours in accordance with the law,” the newspaper quoted DC Zahidul Islam Mia as saying. BJP leader Vishali Poddar said Das’s mother “wanted to see her son one last time” but he “was denied that chance. She said, “After her death, Chinmoy Krishna Das got just five hours of parole to perform her last rites.”
