On Sunday, thousands of supporters from three youth and student organizations affiliated with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) marched towards the Indian High Commission in Dhaka. The demonstrators protested alleged attacks on a Bangladeshi diplomatic mission and the reported desecration of Bangladeshi flags in India.
The march occurred a day ahead of a scheduled visit by India’s Foreign Secretary, Vikram Misri, to Dhaka. This will mark the first high-profile diplomatic engagement by an Indian official since the political upheaval in August, which saw the fall of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, now in exile in India.
Protests and Allegations
The protests stem from incidents in India, where Bangladeshi authorities accused Indian nationals of attacking the Assistant High Commission’s office in Agartala, Tripura, and disrespecting Bangladeshi flags in Kolkata, West Bengal. India expressed regret over the incidents and assured Bangladesh of action against those responsible.
Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Indian High Commissioner to formally protest the incidents. Meanwhile, BNP supporters took to the streets in large numbers, chanting slogans like “Delhi or Dhaka? Dhaka, Dhaka!” and “Agents of India, be careful!” Protesters carried banners reading, “We have friends overseas, but not masters.”
Police prevented the demonstrators from approaching the High Commission by erecting barbed wire barricades but later permitted a delegation of six BNP leaders to deliver a formal letter of protest.
Political Context and Tensions
The BNP, led by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, has emerged as the primary political force in Bangladesh following Hasina’s departure. The party previously ruled Bangladesh from 2001 to 2006 in coalition with Jamaat-e-Islami. Many observers expect the BNP to perform strongly in the next election if it is held soon.
Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League, traditionally seen as more secular, has enjoyed strong support from India and the Hindu minority in Bangladesh. However, Hasina’s exile has left her party struggling to regain its footing. Arrest warrants have been issued against her on charges of crimes against humanity related to the deaths of hundreds of protesters during mass uprisings earlier this year.
Protesters accused India of attempting to instigate communal unrest in Bangladesh for political leverage following Hasina’s ouster. Smaller Islamist groups, alongside the BNP, have also criticized India for its actions and called on the interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, to take a firmer stance.
Current Challenges for Bangladesh
Since Hasina’s fall, Bangladesh has faced a series of crises, including mob violence, economic instability, and rising street protests. Authorities arrested a prominent Bangladeshi Hindu leader last month, further straining Hindu-Muslim relations. India raised concerns about attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh, which Yunus and his team dismissed as exaggerated.
The interim government faces significant challenges. Rights groups have criticized law enforcement for human rights violations, while many police officers remain demoralized after losing colleagues during the recent unrest. Nearly 700 inmates, including radical Islamists and criminals, escaped during August’s political chaos and remain at large.
The Road Ahead
Muhammad Yunus has urged calm, assuring citizens that efforts are underway to restore stability. However, rising Islamist influence and the fragile economic and political environment continue to pose serious challenges. As tensions with India grow, the government faces increasing pressure to balance domestic concerns with regional diplomacy.
