The Bangladesh government has strongly condemned the violent demonstration by a large group of protesters from the Hindu Sangharsh Samity at the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala on Monday. The protest turned into an attack as the demonstrators breached the mission’s premises, vandalizing property, desecrating the Bangladeshi national flag, and damaging the flagpole.
Reports suggest that the protesters, who allegedly acted in a pre-planned manner, broke down the main gate of the mission while local law enforcement appeared passive in preventing the aggression. As a result, members of the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission were left feeling insecure, according to the government’s statement.
The Bangladesh government emphasized that this attack follows a disturbing pattern, referencing a similar incident in Kolkata on November 28. “This attack violates the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, 1961, which mandates the inviolability of diplomatic missions,” the Bangladeshi government said in a statement.
The government also reminded that it is the host nation’s responsibility to ensure the protection of diplomatic premises and personnel. Consequently, Bangladesh has called on India to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident and take immediate action to ensure the safety of diplomats and their families.
In response, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) expressed regret over the breach of the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission premises. The MEA condemned the incident, stressing that diplomatic and consular properties should never be targeted. The Ministry assured that steps would be taken to increase security at the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi and other missions in India.
The breach occurred amid a massive rally by over 50 protesters in Agartala, demanding the release of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das, arrested in Bangladesh, and protesting alleged attacks on minorities in the country. The rally was organized by the Hindu Sangharsh Samity, an affiliate of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP).
VHP’s Tripura chapter secretary, Sankar Roy, accused the Bangladesh government of failing to protect Hindus, claiming that Hindu temples, homes, and businesses in Bangladesh have been targeted since the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August. The growing unrest has strained relations between India and Bangladesh, particularly after the interim government headed by Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus took power.
India also expressed concern over the escalating violence against Hindus in Bangladesh and called for the fair and transparent handling of the case against Chinmoy Krishna Das, who faces charges of sedition.
