In a controversial move, hoteliers in Siliguri, West Bengal, announced that Bangladeshi nationals would no longer be allowed to stay at local hotels due to escalating violence against minorities, particularly Hindus, in Bangladesh. This decision follows protests over the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das and attacks on minorities in Bangladesh. Similar actions were taken in Assam’s Barak Valley and Tripura. Rajiv Das, president of the Greater Siliguri Hoteliers’ Welfare Association, emphasized that the decision prioritizes national interests despite anticipated losses in the hospitality sector.
Siliguri, a vital tourism hub near the borders of Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan, has become a focal point of these tensions. While the hotel industry anticipates a decline in business, the association argues that protecting national dignity is paramount. This decision comes amidst an ongoing diplomatic dialogue between India and Bangladesh, with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visiting Dhaka to discuss bilateral concerns.
The Bangladesh government has responded, rejecting the claims and asserting that people of all religions are practicing freely in the country.
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