While diplomatic ties between the two nations remain strained, Bangladesh has refrained from shutting down its missions in India, hoping for a resolution
India has expressed deep regret over the vandalism at the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala by protesters rallying against the persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh. The external affairs ministry termed the incident as “deeply regrettable” and assured enhanced security for all Bangladeshi diplomatic missions in India.
The protest, organized by the Hindu Sangharsh Samiti in Tripura, escalated on Monday when participants broke through police barricades and entered the consulate, damaging property and desecrating the Bangladeshi national flag. Bangladeshi officials described the attack as pre-planned and criticized local law enforcement for inadequate action. Bangladesh’s foreign ministry strongly condemned the breach, calling it a violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and urging India to investigate and ensure the safety of its missions.
Amid rising communal tensions, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene, proposing the deployment of UN peacekeepers to restore normalcy in Bangladesh. She emphasized the need to protect minorities and criticized the central government for remaining silent on the issue. Banerjee’s comments drew sharp reactions from the BJP, which accused her of political posturing.
Officials on both sides anticipate further discussions to defuse tensions and safeguard bilateral relations
The unrest follows the arrest of Bangladeshi monk Chinmoy Krishna Das on sedition charges and subsequent detentions of International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) members in Bangladesh. Das’s arrest, for allegedly raising a saffron flag above Bangladesh’s national flag, has triggered widespread protests across Tripura and West Bengal, regions with close cultural and familial ties to Bangladesh.
India has repeatedly raised concerns over extremist violence targeting Hindus in Bangladesh, urging the interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, to ensure the safety of minorities. During an August phone call, PM Modi highlighted the issue, although Bangladesh dismissed reports of persecution as media exaggeration.
Protests have also disrupted border trade, with BJP legislators leading blockades at the Petrapole-Benapole crossing. The BJP vowed to escalate these actions, demanding justice and accountability from the Bangladeshi government.
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