A 17-year-old girl from Panchagarh district, Bangladesh, fled to India after receiving threats from fundamentalists targeting her family for being Hindu and ISKCON devotees. She crossed the border on foot through West Bengal’s Uttar Dinajpur district, where she was detained by the Border Security Force (BSF).
The girl stated that her family had been under constant threats for weeks, with fundamentalists threatening to kidnap her and kill her family. With no other safe options, her parents, both unwell, encouraged her to seek refuge in India with her relatives in Jalpaiguri district.
Incidents of communal violence in Bangladesh have been increasing, with Hindu minorities frequently targeted. ISKCON devotees, in particular, have faced mob violence, vandalism of temples, and even police crackdowns during protests. These incidents have intensified since the arrest of Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das in Dhaka on November 25.
The West Bengal police are investigating the circumstances of the girl’s escape, including whether she had any assistance crossing the border. “We are trying to determine if she was accompanied or helped,” an officer said. Her relatives in Jalpaiguri have been contacted as part of the investigation.
ISKCON Kolkata Vice-President Radaramn Das has appealed to Union Home Minister Amit Shah for intervention. “It is heartbreaking to learn about this minor girl’s plight. Her parents, fearing for her safety, urged her to cross into India to find refuge,” he wrote on X.
Das urged the government to act with compassion and humanity, allowing the girl to live safely with her relatives in India.
This case highlights the worsening conditions for minorities in Bangladesh and the urgent need for regional cooperation to protect vulnerable individuals. The plea from ISKCON leaders emphasizes the humanitarian aspect of the issue, calling for India to provide refuge to those fleeing persecution.
