Bangladesh Jailed Hindu Monk Gets Five Hours To Attend Mother’s Funeral Amid Outrage

Jailed Hindu rights leader Chinmoy Krishna Das was granted five-hour parole by Bangladesh authorities on Thursday to attend the funeral of his mother, Sandhya Rani Dhar, who died earlier in the day while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Hathazari. The temporary release was ordered after his family approached the authorities following her death. Das, who has been in custody since November 2024, was permitted to leave jail for a limited period to participate in the final rites.

Sandhya Rani Dhar, 70, died early Thursday while receiving treatment at a hospital in Hathazari, according to reports. Following her death, Das's brother submitted an application seeking permission for him to attend the funeral. Chattogram District Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Zahidul Islam Mia subsequently issued the parole order. The Daily Star, cited by PTI, quoted the deputy commissioner as saying that Das would be released from jail for five hours in accordance with the law.

The parole order was specifically linked to the death of Das's mother and does not represent a change in the legal proceedings against him. After the five-hour period, he is expected to return to custody. The limited release has nevertheless drawn attention because of the circumstances in which it was granted, with supporters and critics of the authorities debating whether a detained person should be given greater time to be with family members during such a moment.

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Das was arrested in November 2024 on sedition charges over allegations that he had disrespected Bangladesh's national flag. His detention subsequently became a major issue for Hindu rights groups and supporters who have raised concerns about the treatment of religious minorities in Bangladesh. The case has also attracted attention beyond the country, particularly amid broader discussions about the security and rights of the Hindu minority and the political environment surrounding religious issues.

The arrest and continued detention of Das have remained contentious among his supporters. He has been described as a Hindu rights leader and has continued to receive backing from sections of the community and rights advocates. Supporters have questioned the circumstances surrounding his arrest and the charges against him, while the legal case has continued through the country's judicial process. The latest parole decision allows him to attend his mother's funeral but does not affect the status of those proceedings.

The circumstances surrounding the temporary release have prompted strong criticism from those who believe the five-hour period is inadequate for someone mourning the death of an immediate family member. The description of the decision as “pure, unadulterated cruelty” reflects the anger among sections of Das's supporters over the restrictions placed on his participation in the funeral. The criticism has added another dimension to an already sensitive case involving a prominent Hindu figure who has remained behind bars for months.

For Das's family, the parole provides an opportunity for him to be present during the final rites of his mother despite his ongoing detention. Authorities have said the order was issued under the applicable legal provisions following the family's request. Once the five-hour parole period ends, Das is expected to return to jail. His case, meanwhile, continues to be closely watched by Hindu organisations and rights advocates, with his detention remaining part of a wider debate over minority rights, religious tensions and the treatment of dissenting voices in Bangladesh.

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