Jessore, Dec 01 (V7N) – Fifty-four members of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (Iskcon) were barred from entering India through the Benapole immigration check post in Jessore’s Sharsha upazila.

The devotees, hailing from various districts in Bangladesh, attempted to cross the border on Saturday evening and Sunday morning to attend religious ceremonies in India.

Immigration Authorities Cite Suspicious Travel

Benapole Immigration Checkpost Officer-in-Charge (OC) Imtiaz Md Ahsanul Quader Bhuiya confirmed the decision, stating, “We did not allow 54 Bangladeshi passengers to travel to India due to suspicions regarding their travel purposes.”

Frustration Among Devotees

Saurabh Tapander Cheli, one of the Iskcon members, expressed his disappointment: “I came to attend a religious ceremony in India. But immigration authorities sent me back without providing any explanation.”

Another devotee shared similar frustrations, emphasizing that their intentions were purely religious, but they were turned away without a clear reason.

Authorities have not disclosed further details about the nature of the suspicions or whether these individuals will be permitted to attempt crossing again.

END/MSS/AJ