Australian Human Rights Organisation Urges Chinmoy Prabhu’s Release on Humanitarian Parole to Attend Mother’s Funeral

Melbourne: The Australian Federation for Ethnic and Religious Minorities in Bangladesh (AFERMB) has expressed profound sorrow over the death of Shrimati Sandhya Rani Dhar, mother of spiritual leader and minority rights advocate Shri Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, widely known as Chinmoy Prabhu.

In a media statement, the Australia-based human rights organisation extended its deepest condolences to Chinmoy Prabhu and his family and offered prayers during their time of immense grief.

AFERMB also urgently called upon the Government of Bangladesh to grant Chinmoy Prabhu immediate parole on humanitarian grounds, allowing him to perform his mother’s final rites and pay his last respects.

“Allowing a son to perform his mother’s final rites is a fundamental human right that transcends politics. Denying him this opportunity violates basic human dignity,” the organisation said.

AFERMB urged the Bangladeshi authorities to facilitate his temporary release without further delay.

According to family sources, Sandhya Rani Dhar had been suffering from cancer for a prolonged period. She was also experiencing heart disease and several age-related health complications. Her family said she became emotionally distressed following her son’s imprisonment.

Sources said she had travelled to Dhaka to communicate with various levels of the government in an effort to secure her son’s release. After receiving no positive response, she returned to Chattogram. Her emotional and physical condition reportedly deteriorated rapidly afterwards.

During the final stage of her illness, she was accommodated at Pundarik Dham, a well-known Hindu pilgrimage centre, where oxygen and other necessary medical care were arranged. She died there on Thursday morning.

Application for parole initiated

An initiative has been undertaken to secure Chinmoy Krishna Das’s release on parole so that he can attend his mother’s funeral rites. Those involved took an application to the Chattogram Deputy Commissioner’s office on Thursday afternoon.

Dr Kushal Baran Chakraborty, an assistant professor in the Department of Sanskrit at the University of Chittagong, confirmed the development at approximately 1:15 pm on Thursday.

“We have brought the application to the district administration office. We will seek parole for the maximum possible period. At this stage, we believe that permission for his release may be granted,” he said.

Dr Chakraborty added that an application had also been submitted while Sandhya Rani Dhar was in critical condition. He said the lawyers would seek the maximum possible period of parole.

Those involved in the process said Sandhya Rani Dhar’s death certificate would first be collected from the Pundarik Dham authorities. The formal application for parole would then proceed following the completion of the necessary legal requirements.

If the application is approved, the timing of the funeral will depend on when Chinmoy Krishna Das is permitted to leave prison and the duration of the approved parole.

Syed Mahbubul Haque, Additional District Magistrate of Chattogram, said an application seeking Chinmoy Krishna Das’s release on parole would be considered once it was received.

Background to his detention

Chinmoy Krishna Das was arrested on 25 November 2024 in connection with a sedition case involving allegations of disrespecting Bangladesh’s national flag. He was presented before a Chattogram court the following day and was subsequently sent to prison.

Clashes occurred between his supporters and law enforcement personnel on the court premises on the day of his appearance.

Chinmoy Krishna Das remains imprisoned. Whether he will be able to attend his mother’s funeral rites now depends on the decision of the relevant authorities regarding his application for humanitarian parole.

has expressed profound sorrow over the death of Shrimati Sandhya Rani Dhar, mother of spiritual leader and minority rights advocate Shri Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, widely known as Chinmoy Prabhu.

In a media statement, the Australia-based human rights organisation extended its deepest condolences to Chinmoy Prabhu and his family and offered prayers during their time of immense grief.

AFERMB also urgently called upon the Government of Bangladesh to grant Chinmoy Prabhu immediate parole on humanitarian grounds, allowing him to perform his mother’s final rites and pay his last respects.

“Allowing a son to perform his mother’s final rites is a fundamental human right that transcends politics. Denying him this opportunity violates basic human dignity,” the organisation said.

AFERMB urged the Bangladeshi authorities to facilitate his temporary release without further delay.

According to family sources, Sandhya Rani Dhar had been suffering from cancer for a prolonged period. She was also experiencing heart disease and several age-related health complications. Her family said she became emotionally distressed following her son’s imprisonment.

Sources said she had travelled to Dhaka to communicate with various levels of the government in an effort to secure her son’s release. After receiving no positive response, she returned to Chattogram. Her emotional and physical condition reportedly deteriorated rapidly afterwards.

During the final stage of her illness, she was accommodated at Pundarik Dham, a well-known Hindu pilgrimage centre, where oxygen and other necessary medical care were arranged. She died there on Thursday morning.

Application for parole initiated

An initiative has been undertaken to secure Chinmoy Krishna Das’s release on parole so that he can attend his mother’s funeral rites. Those involved took an application to the Chattogram Deputy Commissioner’s office on Thursday afternoon.

Dr Kushal Baran Chakraborty, an assistant professor in the Department of Sanskrit at the University of Chittagong, confirmed the development at approximately 1:15 pm on Thursday.

“We have brought the application to the district administration office. We will seek parole for the maximum possible period. At this stage, we believe that permission for his release may be granted,” he said.

Dr Chakraborty added that an application had also been submitted while Sandhya Rani Dhar was in critical condition. He said the lawyers would seek the maximum possible period of parole.

Those involved in the process said Sandhya Rani Dhar’s death certificate would first be collected from the Pundarik Dham authorities. The formal application for parole would then proceed following the completion of the necessary legal requirements.

If the application is approved, the timing of the funeral will depend on when Chinmoy Krishna Das is permitted to leave prison and the duration of the approved parole.

Syed Mahbubul Haque, Additional District Magistrate of Chattogram, said an application seeking Chinmoy Krishna Das’s release on parole would be considered once it was received.

Background to his detention

Chinmoy Krishna Das was arrested on 25 November 2024 in connection with a sedition case involving allegations of disrespecting Bangladesh’s national flag. He was presented before a Chattogram court the following day and was subsequently sent to prison.

Clashes occurred between his supporters and law enforcement personnel on the court premises on the day of his appearance.

Chinmoy Krishna Das remains imprisoned. Whether he will be able to attend his mother’s funeral rites now depends on the decision of the relevant authorities regarding his application for humanitarian parole.