Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday referring to the arrest of ISKCON monk in Bangladesh at state Assembly said she will follow the Central government’s stand and cannot interfere in another country’s affair.
“It is a separate country and we cannot comment on it. Trinamool Congress (TMC)s stand is clear that we will support the decision that the central government will take. Whatever is happening is not good. Even our central government is against a particular community. That is also not good. Temple, Church, Gurudwara, Mosques all should exist together,” said Mamata.
Mamata further added that the terms of Bengal with Bangladesh have always been ‘cordial’. Meanwhile, protest rallies were seen across the state by Hindu outfits and ISKCON held special protest kirtan condemning the arrest of monk Chinmoy Krishna Das. Vice-president of ISKCON Radharaman Das said that they are ‘worried’ about the life of arrested monk Chinmoy Krishna Das.
“We are worried that someone can kill him. ISKCON is a non-political organization. We are to serve people and we are happy to chant the name of Hari. We want the devotees to be safe even those who reside in Bangladesh. Whichever party comes, in democracy we appeal to keep the devotees safe,” said Radharaman.
Welcoming Bangladesh High Court’s refusal to take suo motu cognizance against ISKCON, Radharaman said, “We got afraid when it was said that ISKCON won’t be existing in Bangladesh. We have at least 5 temples only in Dhaka and several Shaktipeeths across the neighbouring country. There were no other options for the Hindu minorities in Bangladesh but to protest seeking protection and holidays during Durga Puja.”
The ISKCON vice president also urged that action should be taken against those who are chanting slogans of ‘slaughtering’ the minorities. Notably, the Bangiya Hindu Jagaran Manch who took out a protest rally in Kolkata had a clash with the police while they wanted to visit the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata. Later, however, five monks were allowed to enter the Commission.
Talking to the media, the monks said that the Hindu outfits will continue with their protests till the arrested monk Chinmoy Krishna Das is released and the minorities are safe in Bangladesh.
