Professor Asif Nazrul, legal advisor to Bangladesh’s interim government, criticized the Indian government for failing to ensure the safety of the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala, the capital of Tripura. He condemned this lapse and asserted that India must recognize that the dynamics of Bangladesh have changed and are no longer aligned with the policies of Sheikh Hasina’s administration.
Nazrul shared his thoughts in a Facebook post on Monday night, following an attack on the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala. The incident, carried out by supporters of organizations like the Hindu Sangharsh Samiti—an affiliate of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP)—was reportedly sparked by allegations of minority persecution in Bangladesh. On the same day, VHP activists organized protests near the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Mumbai.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs described the Agartala attack as “regrettable,” emphasizing that diplomatic and consular properties must not be targeted under any circumstances. The ministry assured that security measures were being strengthened for Bangladesh’s diplomatic missions across India. Meanwhile, Bangladesh strongly condemned the attack, calling it premeditated and a violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. The Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed outrage, noting that the incident had deeply offended the Bangladeshi government.
In his post, Nazrul described the Agartala attack, stating, “The Assistant High Commission of Bangladesh was vandalized, and the Bangladesh flag was set on fire by members of the Hindu Sangharsh Samiti.” He questioned how India might have reacted if a hypothetical group called “Muslim Sangharsh Samiti” had committed a similar act in Bangladesh.
Citing international law, Nazrul underscored India’s responsibility to protect Bangladesh’s diplomatic missions on its soil. He condemned the Indian government’s failure to uphold this obligation and criticized West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s remarks about Bangladesh. Banerjee had called on the Indian central government to request UN peacekeepers for Bangladesh during a session of the West Bengal assembly.
Nazrul rebuked Banerjee’s comments, suggesting that India should focus on addressing issues affecting its minorities and Dalit communities. In his post, he asserted, “We believe in friendship based on equality and mutual respect.”
He concluded by accusing Sheikh Hasina’s government of pursuing an appeasement policy to remain in power without popular mandate. Nazrul emphasized that the current Bangladesh is independent, sovereign, and proud, driven by a fearless younger generation. He cautioned India to recognize this new reality, declaring, “This is not Sheikh Hasina’s Bangladesh.”
