DHAKA, Bangladesh — On Wednesday, thousands of youth and student members from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party organized a march from the capital city towards the eastern border with India. This demonstration was in response to a recent attack on a diplomatic facility and claimed disrespect towards Bangladeshi flags occurring in India earlier this month.
Participants made their way by car to the Akhaura border point located in the Brahmanbaria district to voice their grievances. Before departing for the border, a brief rally took place in Dhaka, where party leaders condemned what they described as “Indian aggression” towards Bangladesh.
The mobilization follows an incident on December 2, where a group of Hindu individuals reportedly assaulted the Assistant High Commissioner’s office in Agartala, a city in northeastern India. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party, which was led by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, has vocally rallied against this attack.
The march stopped at various locations to connect with supporters along the journey, where they participated in short rallies to emphasize their cause. Another gathering is scheduled to occur when they arrive at the border.
This mobilization occurred shortly after a meeting held between the foreign secretaries of Bangladesh and India, aimed at alleviating rising tensions between the two nations. This meeting was notable as it marked the first significant diplomatic engagement by an Indian official following the exile of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August.
Bangladesh, a country with a significant Muslim majority, has accused individuals from the Hindu community in India of attacking its diplomatic mission in Agartala and disrespecting national flags in Kolkata, West Bengal. In response to these allegations, India expressed regret and committed to holding accountable those responsible for the acts. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh took formal steps by summoning the Indian High Commissioner to register an official protest.
Tensions have further escalated after the arrest of a Hindu leader in Bangladesh, which is currently under the administration of an interim government led by Muhammad Yunus, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate. Following Hasina’s removal, India has ceased issuing visas to Bangladeshis except in cases of urgent medical needs. In addition, many Indian workers involved in infrastructure projects in Bangladesh have fled due to growing security concerns.
In India, particularly in areas with a higher percentage of Hindus, there have been protests condemning violence against Hindus in Bangladesh, further complicating diplomatic relationships. Reports of disrespect towards the Indian flag, with instances of flag burning and trampling, have only worsened the situation, putting additional strain on the already delicate relations between the two countries.
