Bangladesh Supreme Court Lawyer Rabindra Ghosh Speaks Out Against Growing Persecution of Minorities
With rising violence and unrest in Bangladesh, Ghosh emphasizes the urgent need for justice and the protection of religious minorities following the Hasina government’s fall.
AB News, New Delhi: On Tuesday, 75-year-old Bangladesh Supreme Court lawyer Rabindra Ghosh addressed a gathering in his son’s residence in Barrackpore, near Kolkata, following his recent visit for medical treatment at AIIMS, Kalyani. Ghosh, a prominent figure in advocating for minority rights, expressed deep concern over the current political climate in Bangladesh, stating, “This is not the Bangladesh that was born in 1971… This is a new Pakistan,” referring to the alarming transformation of the nation after the fall of the Hasina government.
Ghosh, who is also the chairman of Bangladesh Minority Watch, has been striving to secure justice for the ISKCON monk, Chinmoy Krishna Das, who was arrested on charges of sedition. “I am not a coward. I have not fled Bangladesh. I will return to my country and continue fighting for justice and the release of Chinmoy Krishna Das,” he declared resolutely. However, he outlined the severe challenges lawyers face in Bangladesh today, where many have been implicated in serious criminal cases for taking on such controversial defendants.
Chinmoy Krishna Das, according to Ghosh, has become a target due to his rising popularity in Bangladesh, leading to what Ghosh describes as a “concocted and motivated case.” He said, “This sedition case is flimsy, and it’s not a true reflection of the monk’s work, which contributes positively to society.” Ghosh detailed his own perilous experience in the courts, where he was heckled by lawyers affiliated with the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), and received death threats for his defense of the monk.
“The situation for religious minorities in Bangladesh has worsened significantly since the Hasina government fell. Atrocities against these communities have escalated, and a chilling atmosphere pervades the country,” he lamented, highlighting the stark contrast to the alleged security previously experienced under Hasina’s leadership.
Ghosh pointed out that the struggles of minorities have largely gone unaddressed, “There is no law and order in the country. Minorities are being tortured and displaced from their homes. Bangladesh has forgotten its past.” He emphasized that realizing a peaceful co-existence and restoring democracy are essential for the nation’s future.
As Ghosh prepares to return to Bangladesh, he reiterated his commitment to justice and the protection of marginalized communities, urging unity among citizens to reclaim their nation’s secular and democratic values.
