"Prabhu pronam," is how Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari greets most people, with a genuine warmth in his voice. Under the affable personality lay hidden a steely resolve, a glimpse of which the world got through the window of the prison van as the young Bangladeshi Hindu leader was being taken away from a court in Chattogram on Tuesday.

ISKCON monk Chinmoy was reportedly held in Bangladesh for alleged sedition, during his rallies in Chattaogram and Rangpur. He was arrested from the Dhaka International Airport by the Detective Branch of Dhaka Police.

Bangladesh's response stands contrary to the spirit of friendship and understanding between the two neighbouring countries