Claim: The video shows Chinmoy Krishna Das in Bangladesh sexually assaulting a Hindu woman.

Fact: The claim is false. This video allegedly shows Baba Balknath in Rajasthan’s Sikar sexually assaulting a woman after
drugging her.

(Warning: This article contains sensitive content that some readers may find disturbing. Viewer discretion is advised.)

Hyderabad: On November 25, Chinmoy Krishna Das, a Vaishnavite leader and former member of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in Bangladesh, was arrested by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police on charges of sedition. His arrest has sparked protests in Dhaka’s Shahbagh neighbourhood and Chittagong, with demonstrators demanding his release. The demand for his release is also growing in India, where many supporters are calling for justice.

Amid this backdrop, a video has been circulating on social media, allegedly showing a man in saffron robes sexually assaulting a woman in a car. The text on the video appears to appeal to the protection of Muslim women, but those sharing it claim it shows Chinmoy Krishna Das assaulting a Hindu woman.

An X user shared the video and wrote, “Chinmoy Krishna Das, leader of Iskcon Bangladesh, caught trying to rape a Hindu girl in Sylhet. This ‘saviour of Hindus’ proves even local Hindus aren’t safe from Iskcon, a terrorist organisation.”

(Note: We have chosen not to include the link to the post in this story due to its sensitive nature, in order to respect privacy and avoid further dissemination of potentially harmful content.)

Fact Check

NewsMeter found that the claim is false. The video shows Baba Balaknath from Rajasthan allegedly sexually assaulting a woman after intoxicating her.

Upon conducting a reverse image search of the video’s keyframes, we found video reports showing the same visuals published by ABP News, First India News and Rajasthan Patrika on October 20-21. According to media outlets, the incident happened in Rajasthan’s Sikar. The accused identified as Baba Balaknath allegedly drugged the woman and raped her. The driver of the car reportedly recorded the video.

According to an NDTV report dated October 22, the victim alleged that she was introduced to Baba Balaknath with the assurance that he could resolve her family problems. She claimed she was given a sweet laced with drugs and was raped three times after consuming it.

Hindustan Times in an article dated October 23 reported the woman was introduced to Baba Balaknath by a man named Rajesh during a visit to the Kshetrapal Temple in Khedi Datunjala. The priest allegedly promised to resolve her family issues through a religious practice known as ‘tantra vidya’. On the day of the incident, the priest reportedly drugged and raped her multiple times, while his driver, Yogesh, recorded the assault on video.

Hence, we conclude that the video does not show Chinmoy Krishna Das sexually assaulting a woman in Bangladesh. The claim is false.

Claim Review: The video shows Chinmoy Krishna Das in Bangladesh sexually assaulting a Hindu woman.

Claimed By: X users

Claim Reviewed By: NewsMeter

Claim Source: X

Claim Fact Check: False

Fact: The claim is false. This video allegedly shows Baba Balknath in Rajastahan’s Sikar sexually assaulting a woman after
drugging her.

(This story was originally published by NewsMeter, and republished by NDTV as part of the Shakti Collective)

Kolkata:

Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, a Hindu priest and a religious minority leader in Bangladesh, was arrested in Dhaka amid tensions over minority rights in the country that has seen widespread political violence since former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s ouster. 

The arrest follows protests led by the Hindu community in the city of Rangpur, located nearly 300 km north of Dhaka, demanding stronger legal protections and a ministry dedicated to minority affairs. 

“I just received the shocking news that Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, a Hindu monk & the face and leader of Bangladeshi minorities in these difficult times, has been arrested by the Dhaka police and taken to an undisclosed location. Kind attention,” wrote Radharamn Das, ISKCON spokesperson, tagging External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and the Indian High Commission in Dhaka.

I just received the shocking news that Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, a Hindu monk & the face and leader of Bangladeshi minorities in this difficult times, has been arrested by the Dhaka police and taken to an undisclosed location. Kind attention @ihcdhaka @DrSJaishankar… pic.twitter.com/J9MszoBUvy

— Radharamn Das राधारमण दास (@RadharamnDas) November 25, 2024

While the Bangladeshi authorities have not issued an official statement, reports suggest Brahmachari was detained at Dhaka airport earlier this week. His arrest comes after a sedition case was filed against him earlier this month, allegedly for his outspoken stance against violence targeting Hindus.

Hindus comprise approximately 8 per cent of Bangladesh’s 170 million people. Since the ouster of former PM Sheikh Hasina, the new military-backed interim government led by Mohammed Yunus has faced criticism for failing to curb a spike in violence against minorities.

In recent months, Hindu businesses, homes, and temples have been vandalised, with the unrest worsening since Sheikh Hasina’s departure.  Earlier this month, sedition charges were filed against 19 people who participated in a minority rights rally in Chittagong. 

BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari slammed the Yunus government in Bangladesh, adding that Chinmoy Brahmachari is leading a “fight for survival” of Hindu minorities.

“Renowned firebrand Hindu Leader; Shri Chinmoy Krishna Das Prabhu has been abducted by the Detective Branch at Dhaka Airport in Bangladesh. He is leading the fight for the survival & dignity of the Hindu Minorities of Bangladesh. The Bangladeshi Sanatani Community fear that Md Yunus’s ‘Radical’ Regime may stoop to any level, even eliminate ‘perceived threats’ to its authority. I urge 
@DrSJaishankar  Ji to kindly take note of the matter and take urgent steps,” Mr Adhikari posted on X.

Renowned firebrand Hindu Leader; Shri Chinmoy Krishna Das Prabhu has been abducted by the Detective Branch at Dhaka Airport in Bangladesh.
He is leading the fight for the survival & dignity of the Hindu Minorities of Bangladesh.

The Bangladeshi Sanatani Community fear that Md… pic.twitter.com/n5Bb6Zk2JM

— Suvendu Adhikari (@SuvenduWB) November 25, 2024

Kanchan Gupta, senior advisor to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, described the arrest as “a targeted move to stifle voices of protest.” 

“Hindu leader and ISKCON monk Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari is reported arrested in Dhaka by Yunus Regime Police. Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari was charged with sedition after he led a massive rally of Hindus protesting targeted hate attacks and demanding protection from Islamists. Tallest leader of the Hindu community, Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari is believed to have been taken to Detective Branch of Yunus Regime,” Mr Gupta wrote. 

Hindu leader and ISKCON monk Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari is reported arrested in Dhaka by Yunus Regime Police.
Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari was charged with sedition after he led a massive rally of Hindus protesting targeted hate attacks and demanding protection from…

— Kanchan Gupta (@KanchanGupta) November 25, 2024

The interim regime in Bangladesh had announced plans to unveil an election roadmap, promising reforms in the electoral system. However, critics remain sceptical of its commitment to democracy, especially as reports of targeted attacks against minorities continue to emerge.

During a speech, Mohammed Yunus pointed to the government’s security measures during Durga Puja, celebrated at over 32,000 venues nationwide, as evidence of its commitment to protecting minorities. Yet, activists argue these measures are inadequate.