Siliguri, December 26 (Siliguri Chronicle) – Ongoing political unrest in Bangladesh, coupled with anti-India remarks by some leaders there, has led several hotels in and around Siliguri to stop accommodating Bangladeshi nationals.
Ujjwal Ghosh, joint secretary of the Greater Siliguri Hoteliers Welfare Association (GSHWA), said the move is an extension of a ban that was first imposed in December last year.
“In December 2024, our members had stopped providing accommodation to Bangladeshi citizens. However, on humanitarian grounds, exceptions were made for students and patients visiting India on student and medical visas, respectively,” he said.
“But with the violence in Bangladesh and the anti-India rhetoric, we have decided to ban all Bangladeshi nationals from our hotels,” Ghosh said.
He said the association has 180 member hotels in and around Siliguri, all of which are strictly complying with the ban.
Sources said around 50 more hotels, which are not members of the association, are also voluntarily following the restriction.
For years, Siliguri has served as a major entry point for Bangladeshi visitors travelling to India on tourist visas. Many have also visited the region for medical treatment and education.
“India has recently closed the visa centres in Bangladesh…, but even if visas are issued, we will continue with our decision. They will avail various services here but speak against India. This cannot go on,” Ghosh said.
