DHAKA — The Indian Embassy in Dhaka has been placed under heavy guard following a wave of violent protests and deteriorating security conditions for minorities in Bangladesh. Correspondent Ashutosh Mishra reports that the interim government has deployed armed police units to fortify the mission as diplomatic and civil tensions reach a breaking point.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The Catalyst: The Mymensingh Lynching
The current escalation follows the brutal killing of Dipu Chandra Das, a 27-year-old Hindu garment worker in Mymensingh.
- The Incident: On December 18, 2024, Das was lynched by a mob over unverified blasphemy rumors. Reports indicate his body was tied to a tree and set on fire.
- The Aftermath: While the Bangladesh interim government has called the lynching an “isolated incident,” the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has officially condemned it as a “horrendous act.” Ten people, including factory managers, have since been arrested.
Escalating Tensions and Anti-India Sentiment
The unrest is further fueled by the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, a spokesperson for the student group Inqilab Mancha, who died in Singapore after an assassination attempt.
- Protests: Hadi’s funeral in Dhaka saw tens of thousands of attendees chanting anti-India slogans, accusing India of interference.
- Mission Safety: Protesters in Chittagong and Dhaka have targeted Indian consular offices, leading to the temporary suspension of visa services in several locations.
Plight of Indian Students
The J&K Student Association (JKSA) has issued an urgent plea to Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the safety of approximately 9,000 Indian medical students (4,000 of whom are from Kashmir) currently in Bangladesh.
- Distress Calls: Students report being confined to hostels and have been advised by local authorities to hide their identities to avoid being targeted.
- Evacuation Requests: The JKSA has requested the MEA to prepare for a “timely evacuation” should the security environment continue to spiral.
Diplomatic Crisis Summary
| Issue | Status |
| Visa Services | Partially suspended by both nations; Bangladesh halted New Delhi services on Dec 22. |
| Minority Safety | Reports of Hindu homes being torched and “final warning” notes being left for the community. |
| Official Stance | India demands justice for Dipu Das; Bangladesh expresses concern over mission safety in India (Delhi/Kolkata). |
“The Hindu community does not feel safe,” noted anchor Shivani Sharma, reflecting the sentiment of activists and students on the ground as the interim government struggles to maintain law and order.
