Chinmoy Krishna was placed under ‘interim restriction’ by ISKCON’s Child Protection Office
Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, a figure who has become the talk of the country in the past few days, was temporarily suspended by ISKCON's International Child Protection Office (CPT) following specific allegations.
The suspension was enacted on October 6 of last year, as detailed in a letter issued by ISKCON's CPT in the UK.
Bangla Outlook has obtained the letter, which, according to the organization, confirms that the suspension remains in effect.
The authenticity of the letter has been independently verified by a reputable fact-checker.
The letter specifies that Chinmoy Krishna Das (legal name Chandan Dhar), principal of Pundarik Dham in Hathazari, Chattogram, was subjected to an immediate suspension by ISKCON's CPT.
Signed by CPT Director Kamalesh Krishna Das, the letter outlines that Chinmoy Krishna Das is prohibited from holding any managerial or leadership roles within ISKCON.
Additionally, he is barred from leading kirtans, conducting classes, participating in public worship ceremonies of Srila Prabhupada, or interacting with individuals under 18 years old.
He is also restricted from staying overnight at ISKCON properties unless authorized by Bangladesh ISKCON’s core committee or CPT officials.
The letter mandated that the suspension be enforced within 10 days of receipt, with immediate confirmation of its implementation required.
When Bangla Outlook reached out to Kamalesh
Krishna Das to verify the authenticity of the letter, he confirmed via text
message: "We received allegations against Chinmoy Krishna Das. Acting on
these allegations and in alignment with our international policies, we imposed
a temporary suspension.”
“The letter regarding the suspension is genuine. Due to the nature of the allegations, the suspension was necessary to facilitate the investigation. However, progress has been delayed by certain challenges, including his level of cooperation."
Kamalesh Krishna Das referred further inquiries to ISKCON Bangladesh official Rishikesh Krishna Das.
Notably, two organizations—Bangladesh Sanatan Jagaran Mancha and the Bangladesh United Minority Alliance—have recently united under the banner of the Bangladesh United Sanatani Awakening Alliance.
Chinmoy Krishna Das has been appointed as the spokesperson for this new alliance, which has already organized rallies in Chattogram and Rangpur to advocate for an eight-point demand.
On the afternoon of Monday, November 25, Chinmoy Krishna Das was arrested by the Detective Branch (DB) police at Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka while traveling to Chattogram.
The following day, November 26, he was presented before the court of Qazi Shariful Islam of Chattogram Metropolitan-6. The judge denied him bail in a sedition case and ordered his remand to jail.
After the arrest, DB's Additional Commissioner Rezaul Karim Mallik told the media, "He was arrested based on a requisition linked to a complaint."
Previously, on October 25, the Bangladesh Sanatan Jagaran Mancha held a rally in Chattogram. Following the event, on October 31, BNP leader Firoz Khan filed a sedition case against Chinmoy, alleging that he had desecrated the national flag during the rally.
However, Firoz Khan was later expelled from the BNP.
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