A group of at least 54 ISKCON members were stopped at the Benapole border checkpoint and denied entry into India. Despite having the proper documentation, they were turned away by Bangladesh’s immigration authorities, who cited “suspicious travel.”
Other reports indicate that more than 70 Hindus were attempting to cross the border. Additionally, Bangladeshi authorities had previously detained four other ISKCON monks.
Saurabh Tapandar Cheli, an ISKCON member, stated that they were on their way to India for a religious event but were stopped by immigration officials who mentioned that they lacked the necessary government approval.
Imtiaz Ahsanul Quader Bhuiyan, the Officer-in-Charge at Benapole Immigration Checkpost, explained that the decision to turn back the ISKCON members came from “higher authorities.” He mentioned that they had consulted with the Special Branch of Police and followed the instructions they received not to allow the members to enter.
The ISKCON members, however, stated that they were not provided with a clear explanation for the sudden stop in their passage at the Benapole-Petrapole crossing, despite having valid visas and passports.
The Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Petrapole on the Indian side was inaugurated in July 2016 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Minorities in Bangladesh, especially Hindus, have been subjected to violent attacks by Islamist groups since the formation of the interim government under Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus. Earlier this week, India raised the issue 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 organized in India, particularly in the states bordering Bangladesh with Bengali-speaking populations. Demonstrations were held in Kolkata and other cities in West Bengal, as well as in Agartala outside the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission earlier this week.
