‘Suspicious Travel’: Bangladesh Arrests Four ISKCON Monks, Stops 54 From Entering India – News18

Last Updated:December 01, 2024, 23:18 IST

Authorities said Bangladesh barred the ISKCON monks from entering India after receiving instructions from ‘higher authorities’.

At least 54 members of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) were barred from entering India and were turned back from the Benapole border checkpoint. Bangladesh’s immigration police turned them back despite having valid papers, citing “suspicious travel”.

Some also claimed that the total number of Hindus arriving at the border crossing was over 70. Bangladeshi authorities had earlier arrested four other monks who are ISKCON members.

“We were going to participate in a religious ceremony in India, but immigration officials stopped us, citing the absence of government permission,” Saurabh Tapandar Cheli, one of the ISKCON members, was quoted as saying by local news outlets.

Benapole Immigration Checkpost Officer-in-Charge (OC) Imtiaz Ahsanul Quader Bhuiyan said the ISKCON members were turned back after orders from “higher authorities” while speaking to Daily Star.

“We consulted the Special Branch of Police and received instructions from the higher authorities not to permit them,” Bhuiyan said.

The ISKCON members, however, said that they were not given clear reasons for the abrupt halt in their passage through the Benapole-Petrapole crossing by government officials despite them having valid passports and visas.

The Integrated Check Post (ICP) in Petrapole on the Indian side was jointly inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina in July 2016.

Minorities in Bangladesh, particularly Hindus, have faced severe attacks from Islamist groups since the formation of the interim government led by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus. Earlier this week, India highlighted the case of Chinmoy Krishna Das, a spokesperson for the Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatan Jagran Jote and an Iskcon Bangladesh member, who was arrested and denied bail.

Protests and rallies were taken out in India, especially in the states that border Bangladesh with Bengali-speaking populations. Protest rallies were taken out in Kolkata and other cities of West Bengal. Protests were also held in Agartala earlier this week outside the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission.

“It is unfortunate that while the perpetrators of these incidents remain at large, charges should be pressed against a religious leader presenting legitimate demands through peaceful gatherings. We also note with concern the attacks on minorities protesting peacefully against the arrest of Shri Das. We urge Bangladesh authorities to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and all minorities, including their right of freedom of peaceful assembly and expression,” the Indian external affairs ministry said in a statement earlier this week, expressing its concern.

Street protests have been called to demand a ban on ISCKON, led by the Hefazat-e-Islam, an Islamist group who have had links with Jamaat-e-Islami, a violent, radical Islamist group.

Location :

Dhaka, Bangladesh