‘They are all scared’: over 63 monks with valid visas stopped from entering India from Bangladesh, says Iskcon
On Friday, a Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson said India has conveyed its concern over the attacks on Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh and pressed for a “fair and transparent trial” for Chinmoy Krishna Das.
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ISKCON monks take part in a protest 'kirtan' over the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das Prabhu by Bangladesh police, in Kolkata, West Bengal, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (PTI Photo)More than 63 monks were stopped at Benapole land port in Bangladesh over the weekend and not allowed to enter India, claimed a spokesperson of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (Iskcon) in Kolkata.
Meanwhile, all eyes are on Bangladesh’s top court where Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das is scheduled to be produced Monday. Das, a leader of the Sammilito Sanatani Jagaron Jot, was arrested on November 25 by the Bangladesh Police. The next day, he was denied bail by a court in Chittagong and sent to jail in connection with a sedition case.
While speaking to The Indian Express, Radharamn Das said, “We got news that 63 or even more brahmacharis came to the Benapol border on the Bangladesh side on Saturday and Sunday. They all had valid visas and wanted to enter India. However, Bangladesh authorities told them that India was not safe for them and didn’t allow them to enter India”.
“Why is this? People with valid visas are being allowed to enter India from Bangladesh and vice versa.
After continuing atrocities on minorities and our monks and brahmacharis, they are all scared and are in panic. Some of them had visas and wanted to come to India. We are praying for all,” added Das, vice-president, Iskcon, Kolkata.
“We are also praying for Chinmoy Krishna Das who will be produced in a court once again today,” he said.
According to Iskcon, 54 monks arrived at Benapole, a land port in Bangladesh, on Saturday and nine others until Sunday afternoon.
Das also posted on his X handle about Bangladesh stopping the Iskcon monks from crossing into India. “They had all valid Indian Visa and other documents. But Bangladeshi Border Police said that Bangladeshi Intelligence has told them not to allow them to enter India. Already 4 of our Brahmacharis they have arrested & now not allowing other Brahmacharis to travel to India. Please pray,” Das posted.
The Bangladesh government is yet to react on the fresh allegations levelled by Iskcon. Bangladesh said earlier that the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Dad had been “misconstrued”, adding that his arrest was based on specific charges and that there has been no systematic attack on minorities in the country.
Das, who has been organising multiple rallies in Bangladesh to condemn alleged atrocities against minorities, was arrested on November 25 for alleged “treason”. Iskcon has also said two monks, who went to give medicines to Chinmoy Krishna Das in jail were also arrested last Friday.
On Friday, a Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson said India has conveyed its concern over the attacks on Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh and pressed for a “fair and transparent trial” for Chinmoy Krishna Das.
Iskcon has said Das “does not represent” them in Bangladesh, and that he was expelled in September this year for violating its rules.
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