Massive protests erupted outside the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on Tuesday after the mob lynching of a Hindu youth, Dipu Chandra Das, in Bangladesh’s Mymensingh district. Demonstrators condemned the violence and demanded justice while calling for better protection of minority communities in Bangladesh.
Groups and Public Response
Activists from organizations including the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal gathered near the diplomatic mission, chanting slogans and holding placards against what they described as rising communal violence against Hindus in Bangladesh. Security was ramped up in the area ahead of the protests.
Security and Police Action
Police and paramilitary forces were deployed outside the High Commission to manage the crowd. Authorities say the protest was relatively brief, with demonstrators dispersed by the police after some time, and there were no major breaches of security reported.
Broader Reactions Across India
Similar protests and demonstrations were reported in other Indian cities, including Kolkata, reflecting widespread public anger over the incident. Organisers emphasised their call for accountability and justice for the victim.
Diplomatic Tensions and Reactions
The incident has put diplomatic focus on India–Bangladesh relations. India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) dismissed some media reports in Bangladesh calling the protest a security threat as “misleading propaganda”, asserting that the rally did not involve any attempt to breach diplomatic security.
However, the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry described the protest as “highly regrettable” and questioned how demonstrators were able to gather so close to the High Commission without notice. Dhaka also expressed concern about the security implications for its diplomatic staff.