The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (Iskcon) has announced that Bangladesh has stopped 63 monks from crossing over the Indian side during the weekend despite furnishing valid documents
This comes as Iskcon devotees protested in Kolkata amid global outrage over violence aginst Hindus in Bangladesh.
VIDEO | A prayer meeting is being organised at ISKCON Temple in Kolkata over atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh. #Bangladesh #Bangladeshcrisis
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 1, 2024
(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/b2Ddwif65p
Why did Bangladesh bar Iskcon monks?
The Bangladesh authorities reportedly stopped the Iskcon monks from entering India, alleging "suspicious acitvities".
Imtiaz Ahsanul Quader Bhuiyan, who is in charge of Benapole immigration police, told the Daily Star that they received instructions from higher authorities not to permit them from entering India.
The monks hailing from different parts of Bangladesh reached Benapole border on Satuday evening and Sunday morning. However, the authorities did not explain the nature of suspicions.
Clarifying ISKCON's position and support for religious rights in Bangladesh pic.twitter.com/dtP6Qu0NoR
— ISKCON (@iskcon) November 28, 2024
One of the Iskcon members, Saurabh Tapander Cheli, told media that he was travelling to India to attend a religious ceremony and that the immigration authorities sent him back without any reason.
Two monks, Rudraproti Kesab Das and Ranga Nath Syama Sundor Das, were arrested on Friday and slapped with sedition charges for delivering medicines to fellow Iskcon monk Chinmoy Krishna Das in prison. Chinmoy is to be produced in Bangladesh apex court on Monday following his arrest on November 25.
The Indian external affairs ministry said it is concerned over the attacks on Hindus and other minorities in the neighbouring country, urging Bangladesh to ensure a "fair and transparent" trial for Chinmoy.
