The state unit led a march to the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata and Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari said BJP “will block” goods vehicles at the Petrapole land port on the Indo-Bangladesh border to protest the arrest.
Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, also known as Krishna Prabhu Das, had been associated with and is a spokesperson of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). He had been organising multiple rallies in Bangladesh to condemn alleged atrocities against minorities. Das was arrested on Monday for alleged “treason”.
After marching to the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission office in Kolkata, an eight-member delegation led by Adhikari met with officials inside and submitted a deputation.
Later, speaking with mediapersons, Adhikari said, “We have told them that Chinmoy Krishna Das, who is arrested under a false case and denied bail, should be released immediately. Enough is enough. We demand that India should immediately stop issuing visas. India should stop imports from and exports to Bangladesh.”
“From Monday, we will block all goods vehicles at the Petrapole land port on the border. We will allow passengers and other private vehicles. On December 16, we will commemorate Vijay Divas and we plan to have a mega rally in Kolkata. One should remember the contribution of the Indian Army for the liberation of Bangladesh,” Adhikari further said.
“Atrocities are being committed against minorities and monks in Bangladesh. We have seen many governments before, but never a situation like this,” he added.
The Petrapole land port, South Asia’s largest, is situated on the border near Bongaon. On average, 450-500 trucks move from India to Bangladesh through it every day. About 150-200 trucks come the other way. Yearly, about 22 lakh people cross the border through the Petrapole checkpoint.
The goods exported by India through Petrapole include cotton fabrics, chassis of motor vehicles, non-alloy steel, yarn, synthetic fibers, two-wheelers, machinery parts, papers, cereals, and other food products. Jute, readymade garments, betel nut, and rice bran are among the goods that India imports from Bangladesh.
On Tuesday, BJP MLAs protested at the state assembly while Sukanta Majumdar, BJP state president and union MoS, and Adhikari sought the intervention of the External Affairs Ministry. BJP leader and MLA Agnimitra Paul, who was part of the delegation, said, “The monk should be released immediately. If atrocities continue in Bangladesh on the minorities, the ire of protest will break out in Bengal and spread.”
“An unfortunate incident has taken place in Bangladesh. But we cannot comment on the issue. The Centre will comment. However, one should not make irresponsible statements or actions which complicate the situation further,” said Kunal Ghosh, TMC general secretary and spokesperson.