AB News, New Delhi: Following the arrest of Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das in Bangladesh, diplomatic tensions between India and Bangladesh have escalated. On Friday, India strongly urged Bangladesh’s interim government to take decisive action against the rising attacks on Hindus, with a spokesperson from India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) emphasizing that the Bangladesh government must take responsibility for ensuring the safety of Hindus and all minorities. In response, Bangladesh condemned the recent protest in Kolkata, criticizing the alleged disrespect to its national flag and the burning of a effigy of Bangladesh’s chief advisor, Mohammad Yunus.
Bangiya Hindu Jagaran Manch’s Protest in Kolkata
The protests in Kolkata, organized by the Bangiya Hindu Jagaran Manch, sparked a strong reaction from Bangladesh. On Thursday afternoon, protesters gathered outside the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission, where they reportedly became violent, breaking police barricades and reaching the perimeter of the mission. During the protest, demonstrators allegedly burned the Bangladesh national flag and an effigy of Mohammad Yunus, the chief advisor of the interim government.
In an official statement, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed deep concern over these incidents, urging India to take immediate steps to prevent such actions in the future. The statement emphasized that such events are unacceptable and undermine diplomatic relations between the two nations.
Bangladesh Demands Protection of Diplomatic Missions
In addition to condemning the violence, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on India to ensure the security of its diplomatic missions, including the Deputy High Commission in Kolkata, as well as other Bangladeshi diplomatic outposts across India. The ministry highlighted that while the situation is currently under control, there is a sense of insecurity among the mission’s staff. Bangladesh reiterated its commitment to maintaining peaceful diplomatic relations and urged India to resolve the matter swiftly, emphasizing the need to uphold the sanctity of diplomatic missions and the dignity of both countries.
India’s Concerns Over Minority Safety in Bangladesh
The arrest of Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das in Bangladesh has also become a point of contention. India has expressed concerns about the safety of Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh, highlighting the threats and targeted attacks they continue to face. The MEA reiterated that while legal processes are underway in Bangladesh, India has persistently raised the issue of minority safety with the Bangladesh government.
India made it clear that these issues cannot be dismissed as exaggerated media reports. The growing incidents of provocative statements, violence, and incitement are a matter of serious concern for India. The Indian government once again called on Bangladesh to take all necessary measures to protect minorities and ensure their safety.
Diplomatic Fallout and Rising Tensions
The exchange of strong statements between the two countries highlights the rising tensions over issues relating to the treatment of minorities, the security of diplomatic missions, and the broader political climate in both nations. Bangladesh’s interim government faces increasing pressure from India to safeguard the rights and safety of Hindus and other minorities, while India is also under scrutiny for the actions of its own citizens in Kolkata.
As the diplomatic spat intensifies, both India and Bangladesh must navigate these challenges with caution, as the situation has the potential to strain relations further. For now, both countries are calling for calm and cooperation, but the long-term impact on bilateral ties remains uncertain.
