Relations between India and Bangladesh have reached a significant diplomatic low this week as violent protests erupted across both nations. The unrest was triggered by two primary incidents: the assassination of a popular Bangladeshi student leader and the subsequent brutal lynching of a Hindu man in Mymensingh.
Timeline of the Violence
The situation escalated rapidly following the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, a prominent leader of the Inqilab Moncho and a key figure in the 2024 uprising. Hadi died in a Singapore hospital on December 18 after being shot in Dhaka on December 12.
In the immediate aftermath of his death:
Targeting of Indian Missions: In Bangladesh, angry mobs—believing Hadi’s killers had fled to India—targeted Indian diplomatic missions. Protesters surrounded the residence of India’s deputy ambassador in Dhaka, leading to clashes where police used tear gas to disperse the crowd.
Media Houses Attacked: Protesters torched the offices of two major newspapers, The Daily Star and Prothom Alo, accusing them of being pro-India.
Lynching of Dipu Chandra Das: On the night of December 18, a 25-year-old Hindu garment worker, Dipu Chandra Das, was lynched by a mob in Mymensingh over alleged blasphemy. His body was hung from a tree and set on fire, sparked a massive wave of counter-protests in India.
Clashes Near Diplomatic Missions
Tensions reached a breaking point on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, during protests in India:
| Location | Incident Details |
| New Delhi | Hundreds of protesters from the VHP and Bajrang Dal breached several layers of police barricades near the Bangladesh High Commission. Clashes with security forces resulted in minor injuries to at least four individuals, including both protesters and police personnel. |
| Kolkata | Demonstrations near the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission turned volatile. Police used a lathi charge to prevent protesters from entering the mission. At least 12 people were arrested, and several sustained minor injuries. |
| Agartala/Siliguri | Protests and acts of vandalism at visa centers led the Bangladesh government to indefinitely suspend consular services in these cities. |
Diplomatic Fallout
The violence has forced both governments into a defensive stance:
Envoy Summons: Bangladesh summoned Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma to express “grave concern” over the security of its missions in India. Hours later, India summoned the Bangladeshi envoy to protest the “deteriorating security environment” and the targeting of Indian missions in Dhaka and Chittagong.
Visa Suspensions: India has suspended operations at its Chittagong Visa Application Centre due to security threats, while Bangladesh has halted all visa and consular services at its New Delhi, Agartala, and Siliguri missions.
Current Status: Security remains at its highest level in the diplomatic enclaves of both New Delhi and Dhaka. The Indian government has urged for calm and the protection of minorities, while the interim government in Bangladesh, led by Muhammad Yunus, has arrested 12 people in connection with the Mymensingh lynching.
Would you like me to look into the official statements issued by the Ministry of External Affairs regarding the safety of the Indian community currently in Bangladesh?
