New Delhi: Unrest in Bangladesh has begun to spill across borders, prompting Dhaka to suspend visa services indefinitely at its High Commission in New Delhi and at missions in Tripura and Siliguri after protests erupted near diplomatic premises. India, in response, summoned Bangladesh’s envoy and conveyed strong objections over attacks on religious minorities and threats to diplomatic missions, marking a sharp escalation in bilateral tensions triggered by recent violence in the neighbouring country.
The immediate fallout of the developments has been visible on Indian streets, particularly in West Bengal. Large-scale protests broke out outside the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata, driven by outrage over the lynching and burning of a Hindu man in Bangladesh’s Mymensingh district and growing fears of Islamist mob violence. Demonstrators, led by leaders of Hindu organisations and opposition figures, accused the interim government in Dhaka of failing to protect minorities and warned that public anger in India was reaching a tipping point.
Visa services suspended amid security concerns
Bangladesh’s decision to suspend visa services was taken citing security concerns after a small group of protesters gathered near its diplomatic premises in New Delhi. Officials familiar with the matter said the suspension would remain in force for an indefinite period. The move has affected visa applicants across multiple regions, including eastern and northeastern India, where travel between the two countries is frequent for medical, educational and family reasons.
India responded swiftly by summoning Bangladesh’s envoy to formally register its protest. New Delhi conveyed strong objections not only to the suspension of normal diplomatic functioning but also to what it described as a pattern of attacks on minorities and incidents targeting diplomatic missions. Government sources indicated that India expects Dhaka to ensure the safety of minorities as well as the security of foreign missions in line with international obligations.
Protests erupt in Kolkata
The diplomatic tensions have been mirrored by street protests in Kolkata, where hundreds gathered outside the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission. Protesters condemned the killing of Dipu Chandra Das, a Hindu garment worker in Mymensingh, and alleged that the violence reflected a deeper breakdown of law and order in Bangladesh.
Several demonstrators burned effigies and raised slogans against Bangladesh’s interim leadership, including Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus. Protest leaders warned that if violence against minorities continued, agitation could intensify, with calls for border blockades and sustained demonstrations. The protests were closely monitored by police amid heightened security around diplomatic premises.
Lynching of Dipu Chandra Das shocks the region
At the heart of the unrest lies the brutal killing of Dipu Chandra Das, whose death has become a symbol of growing communal fear in Bangladesh. According to police and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) officials, Das was beaten by a mob, dragged out of his factory, hung and set on fire. Investigators say the violence unfolded over several hours, suggesting it was not a spontaneous act.
Initial claims that Das had committed blasphemy have collapsed under investigation. Authorities have found no evidence of blasphemous remarks or social media posts attributed to him. Instead, investigators now believe that vague and unverified allegations may have been used as a pretext, with a workplace dispute emerging as a possible trigger.
Arrests and investigation progress
So far, at least 12 people have been arrested in connection with the killing, including factory supervisors and co-workers. Investigators revealed that Das was allegedly forced to resign and pushed out of the factory instead of being handed over to police custody, a delay that law enforcement officials say proved fatal. Rights groups have criticised the failure of authorities to intervene in time, warning that mob justice is becoming increasingly normalised.
Political violence widens unrest
The killing of Dipu Chandra Das was followed by another major flashpoint — the death of Osman Hadi, a radical youth leader who had emerged during last year’s July uprising against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Hadi was shot in Dhaka, airlifted to Singapore for treatment, and died days later. His death has since triggered nationwide protests and become a rallying point for radical mobilisation.
A protest platform known as Inquilab Mancho, led by Hadi’s associates, has issued an ultimatum to the interim government, threatening a mass movement to topple it if justice is not delivered. The group has demanded the formation of a speedy trial tribunal and has even sought foreign investigative assistance, underscoring the scale of political instability.
Media houses attacked, minorities fearful
The unrest has also targeted the media. In recent days, mobs vandalised and torched the offices of leading Bangladeshi newspapers, including The Daily Star and Prothom Alo, trapping journalists inside burning buildings for hours. Editors have described the attacks as deliberate attempts to silence independent reporting rather than spontaneous protests.
Minority communities, including Hindus, Christians and Buddhists, have staged demonstrations in Dhaka and other cities, accusing the interim government of failing to stop targeted violence. Rights organisations have warned that minorities feel increasingly unsafe since the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government, with fear driving many to the streets in search of protection.
Yunus reiterates election promise
Amid the turmoil, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has reiterated that general elections will be held on February 12. He has maintained that the interim government is prepared to handle security challenges. Critics, however, question whether free and peaceful polls are possible in an environment marked by mob violence, assassinations, media intimidation and deep political polarisation.
Conclusion
The suspension of visa services and India’s diplomatic protest highlight how Bangladesh’s internal unrest is now straining regional ties. With violence against minorities, attacks on the media and political instability continuing, the situation poses serious challenges not only for Bangladesh’s interim government but also for India-Bangladesh relations. As protests intensify on both sides of the border, regional stability and minority safety have emerged as pressing concerns demanding urgent attention.