New Delhi – India has firmly rejected reports suggesting a security breach at the Bangladesh high commission in New Delhi, characterizing such claims as “misleading propaganda” while simultaneously expressing serious concern over the brutal killing of a Hindu man in Bangladesh. The developments come amid escalating tensions between the two neighboring nations following incidents of violence targeting minorities across Bangladesh.
Protest Dispersed Without Security Incident
According to external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, a small group of approximately 20 to 25 youngsters assembled in front of the Bangladesh high commission late Saturday evening. The protesters gathered to voice their opposition to the horrific killing of Dipu Chandra Das, a Hindu man who was lynched in Mymensingh. The group at the Bangladesh high commission called for enhanced protection of all minorities in Bangladesh.
Jaiswal emphasized that contrary to reports circulating in certain sections of Bangladeshi media, there was “no attempt to breach the fence or create a security situation” at the Bangladesh high commission. The police personnel stationed at the location promptly dispersed the small gathering within minutes of their arrival, maintaining order and ensuring the safety of the diplomatic mission throughout the brief demonstration.
India’s Commitment to Diplomatic Security
The Indian government reiterated its unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all foreign diplomatic missions and posts operating within its territory. This commitment aligns with obligations under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which establishes international protocols for protecting diplomatic facilities. Jaiswal stated that India remains dedicated to upholding these standards for the Bangladesh high commission and all other foreign missions in the country.
Visual evidence of the Saturday evening incident at the Bangladesh high commission is publicly available, according to Indian officials, contradicting claims of any significant security breach or aggressive behavior by protesters. The Indian side dismissed characterizations of an “attack” on the mission as baseless and designed to misrepresent the peaceful nature of the brief gathering.
Enhanced Security Measures Implemented
Following Saturday’s protest, security arrangements around the Bangladesh high commission were substantially strengthened on Sunday. A contingent of armed security personnel was deployed in the vicinity of the diplomatic building located in Chanakyapuri, New Delhi’s diplomatic enclave. These additional measures demonstrate India’s proactive approach to maintaining safety for the Bangladesh high commission despite the absence of any actual breach during the previous day’s protest.
The increased security presence serves both as a precautionary measure and a visible commitment to protecting diplomatic facilities during a period of heightened bilateral tensions stemming from violence in Bangladesh targeting minority communities.
India Condemns Lynching of Hindu Man
The Indian government expressed deep concern over the “horrendous killing” of Dipu Chandra Das, a factory worker who was beaten to death by a mob in Mymensingh city in eastern Bangladesh on Thursday. Das was accused of blasphemy before being lynched, and his body was subsequently tied to a tree and set ablaze. The gruesome images from the incident provoked widespread revulsion and condemnation across India.
Indian officials monitoring the situation at the Bangladesh high commission and broader developments in Bangladesh have called for the perpetrators of Das’s “barbaric killing” to be brought to justice swiftly. The external affairs ministry stated that Indian officials remain in continuous contact with Bangladesh authorities, conveying strong concerns about attacks on minorities and urging accountability for those responsible.
Context of Escalating Tensions
The lynching of Das occurred against the backdrop of widespread violent protests sweeping across Bangladesh following the death of anti-India student leader Sharif Osman Hadi. Hadi sustained serious injuries in a shooting incident in Dhaka on December 12 and succumbed to his injuries while receiving treatment in Singapore on Thursday.
The protests triggered by Hadi’s death saw demonstrators attempting to storm India’s assistant high commission in Chittagong, while additional demonstrations were organized near the main high commission in Dhaka and Indian missions in Khulna and Rajshahi. Violent mobs also attacked and burned the offices of two prominent newspapers in Dhaka during the unrest.
Bangladesh’s Contrasting Position
Bangladesh’s de facto foreign minister Touhid Hossain rejected India’s characterization of the incident outside the Bangladesh high commission in New Delhi. Speaking to reporters at the foreign ministry in Dhaka, Hossain contended that India’s presentation of events oversimplified a more serious security failure. He claimed a larger group was involved in the protest and argued it was “unacceptable” that demonstrators had entered a high security area.
Hossain also reported that the Bangladeshi envoy and his family felt threatened and panicked during the incident at the Bangladesh high commission, asserting that security was clearly inadequate with only two security personnel present who remained passive. He referenced threats allegedly made against the diplomatic staff.
Regarding Das’s killing, Hossain acknowledged that a “Bangladeshi citizen was brutally murdered” but argued there is no justification for connecting this specific incident to broader concerns about minority community security. He stated that law enforcement agencies acted promptly, arresting several individuals in connection with the lynching.
Monitoring Evolving Situation
India continues closely monitoring the evolving situation in Bangladesh, particularly regarding the safety and security of minority communities. The Indian government maintains that protecting the Bangladesh high commission and all diplomatic facilities remains a top priority while simultaneously advocating for justice and protection for vulnerable populations across the border.
