Court Denies Bail for Hindu Leader Amid Sedition Charges

A court in southeastern Bangladesh has once again rejected a bail plea for Hindu leader Krishna Das Prabhu, who faces sedition charges after leading large rallies demanding better protection for minority groups in the Muslim-majority nation.

The court decision was made Thursday, with security tight around the court as police and soldiers stood guard.

Why It Matters

Prabhu's case highlights the tensions between the minority Hindu community and the secular government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. It also sheds light on the challenges faced by minority groups in Bangladesh, where Hindu communities have reported thousands of attacks since early August.

The government has yet to effectively address these concerns, leading to further unrest.

Bangladeshi Hindu leader Krishna Das Prabhu shows a victory sign as he is taken in a police van after court ordered him detained pending further proceedings in Chattogram in southeastern Bangladesh, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024.... AP

What To Know

Krishna Das Prabhu, 39, was arrested after leading rallies in the southeastern city of Chattogram, where Hindu groups have voiced fears over escalating violence against their community. Prabhu's lawyers argue that he has been unfairly targeted, but the court rejected his plea for bail, citing serious charges of sedition and threatening the country's security.

Protests and Court Tensions

Prabhu's first bail request was denied while he had no legal representation, with lawyers who attempted to represent him claiming intimidation. Tensions escalated outside the court, where clashes led to the death of a Muslim lawyer. At Thursday's hearing, 11 lawyers traveled from Dhaka with a security escort to represent Prabhu.

A section of Hindu monks also called Sadhus attend a protest rally condemning the recent arrest of prominent Hindu leader Krishna Das Prabhu (picture in back) and the alleged attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh, taken... Bikas Das/AP Photo

Security Concerns and International Criticism

Hindu and minority groups in Bangladesh and abroad have condemned the actions of the interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, for undermining the safety of minorities. These groups argue that reports of violence against Hindus since August have been downplayed or ignored by the government. In response, Yunus and his supporters have claimed that the reports are exaggerated.

Prabhu, a prominent spokesperson for the Bangladesh Sammilito Sanatan Jagaran Jote group, is closely associated with the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, or the Hare Krishna movement. His arrest and subsequent treatment have turned him into a symbolic figure for minority rights in Bangladesh.

Police officials block a street leading to the court during the hearing of the bail plea by Krishna Das Prabhu, a jailed Hindu leader, in Chattogram, Bangladesh, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. Hindu groups say there... AP Photo

What People Are Saying

Radharamn Das, Vice President and spokesman of the Bangladesh Sammilito Sanatan Jagaran Jote group said: "(Prabhu) has become a face of minorities in Bangladesh. The minorities see him as a ray of hope. He represents their voice."

Mofizul Haque Bhuiyan, Public Prosecutor said in relation to Prabhu: "He faces serious charges like sedition and others involving the security and sovereignty of our country. We argued in the court that if he gets bail it could create anarchy. As we saw in the past that he triggered violence on the court premises by calling thousands of his supporters to protest."

What Happens Next

As Krishna Das Prabhu remains in custody, his legal team plans to appeal the court's decision. The case continues to draw attention from both national and international advocates for minority rights, with growing pressure on the Bangladesh government to address the concerns of its Hindu population.

This article includes reporting from The Associated Press