DHAKA, Bangladesh — On Sunday, a significant protest occurred in Dhaka as thousands of members from three youth and student organizations associated with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) rallied towards the Indian High Commission. This demonstration aimed to object to recent incidents involving attacks on diplomatic missions in India and the alleged disrespect shown toward Bangladeshi flags.
The timing of the protests coincided with the impending visit of India’s foreign secretary, Vikram Misri, to Dhaka, set for the following day. This marks the first prominent visit from an Indian official since the former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s departure into exile in India back in August.
Bangladesh has accused Hindus in India of violent acts, including assaults on the Assistant High Commissioner’s office situated in Agartala, located in the Indian state of Tripura, as well as an alleged desecration of Bangladeshi flags in Kolkata, West Bengal. In response to these events, Indian officials expressed regret and committed to taking appropriate action against the perpetrators. The Bangladeshi Ministry of Foreign Affairs also reacted by summoning the Indian High Commissioner to express their formal objections.
During the protest, BNP supporters, led by the party’s former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, approached the Indian High Commission but were halted by police who erected barbed wire barriers. Ultimately, a small group of six leaders was permitted to deliver a letter to the mission.
Historically, the BNP governed Bangladesh between 2001 and 2006 in alliance with the Jamaat-e-Islami party. In the current absence of Hasina, who is linked with a more secular agenda, Zia’s party is positioned as the main opposition, potentially poised for success in any upcoming elections.
The protesters vocally expressed their stance with chants such as “Delhi or Dhaka? Dhaka, Dhaka!” and “Agents of India, be careful, be careful!” They brandished banners stating, “We have friends overseas, but not masters.” Concerns were raised by the protesters around Indian involvement in instigating community tensions within Bangladesh for political gain in the wake of Hasina’s removal from power, following a mass uprising that terminated her lengthy tenure.
Additionally, the BNP supporters highlighted their belief that India has been deliberately attempting to sow discord in Bangladesh, seeking to capitalize politically since Hasina’s administration has diminished. Meanwhile, Hasina herself faces multiple arrest warrants linked to accusations of committing crimes against humanity during the protests that took place last summer.
In recent weeks, smaller Islamist groups alongside the BNP have rallied against India in light of the recent attacks in Tripura, pressing the interim government, led by Nobel peace laureate Muhammad Yunus, to address these grievances more formally.
The tension between the two countries intensified after the arrest of a prominent Hindu leader in Bangladesh, prompting further unrest. While India previously voiced concern over violence against Hindus following Hasina’s political decline, Yunus and his allies defended that such claims were overstated.
Bangladesh is presently confronting substantial difficulties that arose after August, including mob violence, escalating living costs, widespread protests, and economic instability. The influence of Islamist factions has increasingly come to the forefront, contributing to a precarious law enforcement landscape marked by a demoralized police force. Many police officers have lost their lives during recent protests, and the legal system faces challenges as around 700 inmates, including criminals and radical Islamists, are still unaccounted for after various jailbreaks amid the political turmoil.
In an attempt to quell unrest, Yunus has been advocating for calm while promising process improvements within the country.
