Tensions flared in the heart of India's capital on Tuesday as activists from the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and allied groups clashed with police outside the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi. The protest was sparked by the brutal mob lynching of a 27-year-old Hindu youth, Dipu Chandra Das, in Bangladesh's Mymensingh district on December 18.
Delhi Protest Turns Volatile
Heavy security, including police and paramilitary forces, was deployed around the diplomatic mission in Chanakyapuri to monitor the situation. Despite multi-layered security cordons, a large crowd of demonstrators pushed through and broke police barricades in an attempt to march towards the High Commission building. The protestors, chanting slogans like "Bharat Mata Ki Jai" and "Hindu Hatiya Band Karo" (Stop Hindu Killings), demanded accountability and justice from Bangladeshi authorities for the killing of Dipu Chandra Das and the protection of minorities.
One emotional protestor declared, "Hindus are being killed. This country belongs to Lord Ram. We don't kill anyone here, but the dignity of our sisters and daughters is in danger." The protest saw participation from members of the Sarbo Bharatiya Hindi Bangali Sangathan, VHP, and Bajrang Dal, who gathered near the Durgabai Deshmukh South Campus Metro Station.
Diplomatic Fallout and Bangladesh's Response
The incident triggered a swift diplomatic response from Dhaka. Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Pranay Verma, to formally protest the incidents in New Delhi and a separate case of vandalism at the Bangladesh Visa Centre in Siliguri on December 22.
In an official statement, the Bangladesh government expressed "grave concern" and condemned what it called "acts of premeditated violence or intimidation against diplomatic establishments." It stated that such actions endanger diplomatic personnel and undermine principles of mutual respect. Bangladesh has suspended consular and visa services in New Delhi and Agartala citing security concerns. The statement urged India to investigate the incidents thoroughly and ensure the safety of its diplomatic missions.
India, however, dismissed allegations of inadequate security. Officials described the New Delhi protest as brief and stated it posed no security threat to the mission, labeling some reports in Bangladeshi media as "misleading propaganda."
Nationwide Outrage Over Lynching
The killing of Dipu Chandra Das, who was beaten to death and his body set on fire over an alleged blasphemy claim, has ignited protests across India. Beyond Delhi, the VHP and Bajrang Dal staged a demonstration in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, where they burned an effigy of the Bangladesh government.
A Bajrang Dal member in Bhopal demanded, "President's Rule be imposed in Bangladesh and the extremists roaming on the street should be taken into custody." In Jammu, the High Court Bar Association protested the lynching and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to either ensure the protection of Hindus in Bangladesh or facilitate their move to India. The lawyers also called for the eviction of illegal Bangladeshi and Rohingya immigrants from Jammu.
Political voices in India also weighed in. West Bengal Congress leader Ashutosh Chatterjee condemned the atrocities in Bangladesh but accused the BJP of trying to polarize the issue. He called upon External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to address the matter, stating, "Humanity is under attack."
The row underscores the sensitive nature of minority safety in Bangladesh and its potential to impact the bilateral relationship between the two neighboring nations. The Indian government now faces the dual challenge of managing domestic outrage while navigating diplomatic tensions with Dhaka.
