The monks, under the banner of the Akhil Bharatiya Sant Samiti, started arriving in the morning at the protest site, about 800 meters from the Petrapole border checkpost.

West Bengal BJP leaders, led by Leader of Opposition in the assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, have also announced an agitation program at Petrapole border on Wednesday over the Bangladesh issue.

“We will form a human chain and protest to convey our message of peace to the Indian government and the Bangladesh dispensation, demanding an immediate stop of atrocities against minorities in Bangladesh,” said a monk, after reaching the Petrapole border.

Swami Paramatmananda, president of the Bengal chapter of the Akhil Bharatiya Sant Samiti, had said on Sunday that the agitation will continue at the Petrapole border “until the Bangladesh government takes action to stop attacks on Hindus and temples”.

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) has been organizing prayer meetings and kirtans at its Albert Road center in Kolkata for the last few days, demanding the release of Das and expressing concern over the plight of religious minorities in the neighboring nation.

Bangladesh’s minority Hindus, which constitute about 8 percent of the 170 million population, have reportedly faced over 200 attacks in 50-odd districts since the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government on August 5.

Das, a Hindu spiritual leader, was arrested in Bangladesh in a sedition case. He was denied bail by a court, triggering protests by community members in various locations, including the capital Dhaka, and the port city of Chattogram.

Meanwhile, cargo movement at the Petrapole border remained normal on Monday, officials said.

“On average, 400 trucks are going to the Benapole border (Bangladesh), and around 150 trucks are entering India. Additionally, 5,000-6,000 people are crossing the border daily, though this number is down from the usual 7,000-8,000,” a senior official said.