Bangladesh denies visa to West Bengal minister

Bangladesh has denied visa to Siddiqullah Chowdhury, a West Bengal minister and influential Muslim leader. 

According to the Minister of Mamata Banerjee, he was denied visa by Bangladeshi authorities despite following due procedure for visa application, reports India Today. 

However, no reason has been cited for the denial, claims the minister. Sources in the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata said the visa was denied on 'technical' grounds.

Siddiqullah Chowdhury was scheduled to travel to Bangladesh on December 26.

"I have got a NoC from the Ministry of Home Affairs for my tour. Even the chief minister is aware of it. But now I have to cancel it at the last moment," the minister told India Today TV.

Siddiqullah Chowdhury was scheduled to attend the centenary celebrations of a madrassa in Bangladesh's Sylhet apart from attending to some personal commitments. He was due to return on December 31.

The Jamiat-E-Ulama Hind Bengal unit has termed the development as extremely unfortunate and unprecedented.