Hyderabad: Condemning the arrest and imprisonment of International Society for Krishna Consciousness (Iskcon) priest Chinmoy Krishna Das in Bangladesh, members of Telangana Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Bajrang Dal, and Iskcon temple priests staged a protest in Abids on Saturday.
The demonstrators raised concerns about the influx of ‘illegal migrants' from Bangladesh and urged the Union govt to intervene in securing the release of the priest.
Over 100 protesters gathered outside the general post office (GPO) in Abids, holding placards that read ‘Free Chinmoy Das' and ‘Stop Hindu persecution', while chanting slogans. The three-hour demonstration saw religious leaders addressing the crowd, calling the arrest a blatant act of religious persecution.
"Chinmoy Das has been falsely accused. This is a direct attack on our community," said one protester. Another added, "We urge the Union govt to act swiftly and ensure his release."
"While Bangladeshi immigrants enter India without hindrance, our priests face imprisonment there. This must end," said another protestor.
The protest concluded after several hours, with police monitoring the situation until the crowd dispersed.