The Greater Siliguri Hoteliers’ Association (GSHA) in West Bengal’s Darjeeling district has decided to end the ban on renting hotel rooms to citizens from Bangladesh after nearly 13 months. This ban was initially imposed in response to perceived anti-India activities and incidents involving attacks on minority Hindus in Bangladesh. The GSHA recently lifted the ban due to improved political conditions in Bangladesh following the recent general elections.
The hoteliers’ association formally notified the District Magistrate of Darjeeling about their decision to revoke the restriction on renting rooms to Bangladeshi citizens. However, they also cautioned that a similar ban could be reinstated if anti-India activities were to recur in Bangladesh. The decision to lift the ban was made after discussions and voting within the association, aiming to foster better relations between India and Bangladesh.
Amid political turmoil in Bangladesh and critical remarks towards India by some political leaders, tensions had escalated, leading to temporary closures of Indian visa centers in Bangladesh. This situation prompted various hoteliers’ associations in West Bengal, including the GSHA, to impose restrictions on accommodating Bangladeshi nationals as a security measure. The GSHA’s Joint Secretary emphasized that the ban removal signifies hope for improved relations between the two countries but warned of reinstating the ban if anti-India activities resurface.
