New Delhi – Protests over the alleged mistreatment of the Hindu minority in Bangladesh have further heightened tensions with neighboring India. Relations between the two countries have worsened after the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, was ousted from power last August and fled to India. Since then, Hasina has been living in a safe house in New Delhi.
Earlier this week, a Bangladesh consulate office in Agartala, the capital of Tripura state in northeastern India, was attacked by demonstrators angered by the alleged mistreatment of Hindus in Bangladesh.
In response to the attack, India increased security at the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi and other diplomatic offices across the country to prevent further violence against Bangladesh’s diplomatic missions.
In Dhaka, Muslim groups also took to the streets to protest the attack. Consular services in Agartala have been suspended indefinitely.
The Indian government condemned the incident as “deeply regrettable.” Several people have been arrested, and some police officers have been suspended. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh called for a thorough investigation and summoned the Indian High Commissioner, Pranay Verma.
Tensions After the Arrest of Hindu Monk
The incident at the consulate followed violent clashes between police and supporters of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das in Chittagong, southern Bangladesh. The clashes occurred after Das was denied bail on charges of incitement. In the incident, a Muslim lawyer was killed.
Das’s detention is seen as part of a broader pattern of violence against the Hindu minority in Bangladesh, which makes up about 8% of the population of 170 million, the majority of whom are Muslim. Das, who is also a spokesperson for the Hindu group Sanatan Jagran Manch, remains in detention, further escalating tensions.
Hasina Speaks Out
On Wednesday (4/12), Sheikh Hasina aggravated the situation by issuing a statement accusing the interim government of Bangladesh under Muhammad Yunus of failing to protect minorities, including Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians.
“Hindus, Buddhists, Christians—none of them are safe. 11 churches have been destroyed, Hindu temples and Buddhist shrines have been vandalized. When Hindus protested, ISKCON leaders were arrested,” said Hasina, referring to the international Hare Krishna movement.
Hindu groups in Bangladesh view Das’s detention as an attempt to stifle dissent.
Diplomatic Efforts to Ease Tensions
Indian Foreign Minister Vikram Misri is scheduled to visit Dhaka next week to discuss the escalating tensions. This visit will be the first high-level diplomatic meeting since the interim government of Bangladesh took power.
