ছবি: Press Conference of the Leaders of the Combined Sanatan Jagaran Front - Photo: Collected
Leaders of the Combined Sanatan Jagaran Front have declared a nationwide long march toward prison if the bail request of their spokesperson, Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, is denied in court tomorrow. The announcement was made during an emergency press conference held on the night of November 26 at Dhakeshwari Temple, Dhaka, where leaders warned of collective civil disobedience.
The front’s representatives made it clear that they will not resort to sporadic protests but will instead launch a unified movement across the country. They emphasized that in the event of his bail denial, their supporters would voluntarily choose imprisonment, symbolizing their commitment to their cause.
The controversy surrounding Chinmoy Das Brahmachari’s arrest began earlier this week when he was detained by the Detective Branch (DB) of police. On his way back to Chattogram, Das was intercepted at the airport and taken into custody by DB officers. Upon learning of his detention, supporters of the Brahmachari gathered at the DB office on Mintu Road to inquire about his arrest, but they were reportedly met with silence and vague responses from the authorities regarding his whereabouts.
Following this, a peaceful protest was organized at Shahbagh, where a group of extremists reportedly launched an attack on the demonstrators. Armed assailants, identified by the leaders as “extremists and criminals,” violently disrupted the protest, injuring 30 supporters, including two women. The attack took place despite the presence of law enforcement officers, who, according to the leaders, did not take adequate measures to prevent the assault.
The spokesperson for the Combined Sanatan Jagaran Front, Prosenjit Halder, condemned the attack and highlighted that the police had failed to protect the protesters or intervene to stop the violence. He expressed outrage over the indifference of law enforcement despite their proximity to the scene.
“This was not just an attack on our peaceful protest but an attack on the values we stand for. Our members were injured, and two women were assaulted. This is unacceptable, and we demand that the perpetrators be brought to justice immediately,” Halder stated.
Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, who is a prominent leader within the Sanatan community, had traveled to Dhaka to attend a rally before his arrest. His detention has sparked widespread protests from his supporters, who view the action as an attempt to silence their movement. Brahmachari's influence within the Sanatan community is profound, and his arrest has triggered a surge of protests across the country, with demands for his release growing louder.
At the press conference, another leader of the front reiterated the importance of Chinmoy Das’s release, stressing that he was not just a leader but a symbolic figure representing every Sanatan follower. The leader emphasized that the government's perception that detaining Das would halt the movement was a grave mistake.
"Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari is not just a leader. Every Sanatan home holds a Chinmoy Prabhu. His arrest will not stop the movement. If his bail is denied tomorrow, we will not fight individually but will unite to undertake a peaceful, non-violent movement. If needed, we will march toward the prison where he is held and voluntarily accept imprisonment," the leader stated.
The leaders also made it clear that they respect the law, but they remain firm in their demand for justice. They have called on the authorities to prevent further violence against peaceful protesters and to ensure the protection of the Sanatan community’s rights.
As the bail hearing approaches, tensions remain high, with supporters of the Combined Sanatan Jagaran Front bracing for further protests. The outcome of tomorrow's hearing will likely determine the next steps in what has already become a high-stakes political and social issue. Should the court deny the bail, the front’s leaders have vowed to escalate their efforts through coordinated national protests, with the ultimate goal of securing the release of Chinmoy Das Brahmachari and ensuring justice for the injured supporters.
The situation is being closely monitored by both local and international observers, with concerns about the potential for further clashes between protestors and law enforcement. The front's commitment to a peaceful movement, despite the violence faced by their members, sets the stage for what could be a defining moment for the Sanatan community's resistance in Bangladesh.
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