Suvendu demands suspension of visa services for Bangladesh

BJP legislators demand release of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das in Bangladesh, threatening protests and border blockade if demands not met.

Legislators of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday (November 27, 2024) held a demonstration outside the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata, demanding the release of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das, who was arrested in Bangladesh on November 25.

Eight MLAs led by the Leader of the Opposition in the State Assembly. Suvendu Adhikari, marched from Rabindra Sadan to the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission, holding photographs of the arrested monk associated with ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness), and submitted a deputation to officials of the High Commission.

Describing the demonstration as “protest for the existence” of Hindus, Mr. Adhikari said the BJP would intensify protests if Mr. Das was not released from custody.

“Stop issuing visas [to the people of Bangladesh] completely. We will go to visa office tomorrow, if required. Also, stop issuance of permits for export and import. We will wait for a day and launch a blockade at the India-Bangladesh border at Petrapole in North 24 Parganas district, in case the incidents of alleged tortures are not stopped,” Mr. Adhikari said.

Mr. Adhikari was joined by seven senior BJP MLAs, including Agnimitra Paul, Sankar Ghosh, and Subrata Thakur. The Leader of the Opposition drew a parallel between the situation in Bangladesh and that in West Bengal, and said that the “likes of those on whom Dr. Yunus (Chief Adviser of Bangladesh Muhammad Yunus) is placing his trust, here (in West Bengal) also, Mamata Banerjee is encouraging such elements”.

The BJP leader commented on the anti-India remarks made by certain leaders from the neighbouring country. “Go to Pakistan for treatment instead of coming to India,” he said. “Don’t come here for treatment. Go to Karachi or Lahore,” he added.

A large number of people from Bangladesh come to Kolkata and other Indian cities for medical treatment.