On Sunday, Bangladesh immigration authorities denied 54 members of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (Iskcon) permission to cross into India at the Benapole-Petrapole border. Despite possessing valid passports and visas, the authorities reportedly cited “suspicious travel purposes” as the reason for the denial.
According to media reports, over 70 Hindu devotees had gathered at the border, intending to travel to India for religious ceremonies. However, Benapole Immigration Checkpost Officer-in-Charge Imtiaz Ahsanul Quader Bhuiya said, “We consulted the Special Branch of Police and received instructions from higher authorities not to permit them.”
Devotees’ Perspective
Several members of the group, who waited at the checkpoint overnight, expressed frustration at the lack of clear reasons behind their denial.
“We were traveling for a religious ceremony in India with valid documents but were stopped because we didn’t have government permission,” said Saurabh Tapandar Cheli, one of the Iskcon members.
Growing Concerns Over Minority Rights
The incident has added to ongoing concerns over the safety and rights of minorities in Bangladesh. Reports have highlighted increasing violence and discrimination against Hindus, including attacks on temples and the arrest of Hindu leaders like Chinmoy Krishna Das, a spokesperson associated with Iskcon Bangladesh.
India’s Response
India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a statement urging Bangladesh to ensure the safety of minorities and uphold their right to peaceful assembly. The statement also condemned the lack of accountability for acts of violence and persecution against religious communities.
Political Fallout
Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina criticized the interim government for targeting minorities and condemned the unjust arrest of Hindu leaders.
“A top leader of the Sanatan religious community has been unjustly arrested. He must be released immediately,” said Hasina, who also highlighted a series of attacks on religious sites across Bangladesh.
Ongoing Challenges
Radical groups in Bangladesh, including those behind the recent “Anti-Discrimination Student Movement,” continue to spread disinformation against Iskcon and other minority organizations. Actions such as freezing bank accounts of Hindu leaders have further intensified the atmosphere of fear and repression.
