A verbal spat between Bangladesh and India is escalating rapidly, fueled by protests and counter-protests over the alleged mistreatment of Hindu minorities in Bangladesh.
Diplomatic ties between the neighboring nations—once close allies—have been strained since August when former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled to India following a public uprising.
The situation intensified last week after the arrest of a Hindu monk, sparking protests in India led by Hindu organizations and members of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). On Monday, tensions escalated further when demonstrators stormed Bangladesh’s consulate in Agartala, northeastern India, vandalizing the premises—an embarrassment for the Indian government.
India’s foreign ministry condemned the attack, calling it “deeply regrettable” and reaffirming that diplomatic premises should remain protected. Security has been increased, and police have arrested seven suspects. However, Bangladesh’s foreign ministry expressed outrage, describing the incident as “heinous” and demanding a full investigation to prevent further violence.
Touhid Hossain, foreign affairs adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government, criticized the incident as “unacceptable,” highlighting that consular staff were left frightened after protesters desecrated the Bangladeshi flag. Officials in Dhaka blamed misinformation and sensationalist Indian media coverage for inflaming tensions.
In response, Indian experts argued that unrest in Bangladesh has inevitable repercussions in India. Former Indian high commissioner Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty urged Bangladesh to address domestic instability, particularly attacks on minorities.
Bangladesh, a key strategic ally for India—especially concerning border security—has significant cultural and linguistic ties with its neighbor. Hindus, comprising less than 10% of Bangladesh’s 170 million population, have long reported discrimination and sporadic attacks, exacerbated since Hasina’s overthrow, when religious minorities loyal to her were targeted.
The arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das, accused of sedition after allegedly raising a saffron flag above the Bangladeshi national flag during a protest, further stoked unrest. Following his denied bail in Chittagong, clashes erupted, leading to the death of a Muslim lawyer and multiple arrests. On Tuesday, Das’s bail hearing was delayed, intensifying frustrations.
While Chinmoy Das, once linked to the Iskcon religious organization, remains jailed, Iskcon officials in Dhaka claim he was expelled earlier for disciplinary reasons. Supporters, however, insist the allegations are false and stem from internal disputes.
The unrest has left Bangladesh’s Hindu minority fearful. Although the interim government has bolstered security around temples and minority areas, officials deny any orchestrated attacks, attributing incidents to isolated miscreants.
Activists and analysts on both sides warn that ongoing inflammatory rhetoric and protests risk further destabilizing the situation. Sheikh Hasina’s presence in India remains a flashpoint, worsening bilateral tensions as protests disrupt normal cross-border activities, including trade, tourism, and medical travel.
Experts emphasize the urgent need for both nations to de-escalate rhetoric and focus on restoring stability, given their mutual dependence and shared regional interests.
