'Horrendous killing': India urges Bangladesh to punish perpetrators behind Dipu Chandra Das’s death

(Representative Image)

India on Sunday reacted strongly to the lynching of a Hindu youth, Dipu Chandra Das, in Bangladesh’s Mymensingh district, calling the killing “horrendous” and urging Dhaka to ensure swift justice for those responsible.

In an official statement issued on December 21, India said it was closely monitoring the situation in Bangladesh and had conveyed its concerns to the Bangladeshi authorities over attacks on minorities.

“India continues to keep a close watch on the evolving situation in Bangladesh. Our officials remain in touch with Bangladesh authorities and have conveyed to them our strong concerns at the attacks on minorities. We have also urged that the perpetrators of the barbaric killing of Das be brought to justice,” the statement said.

The government also flagged what it described as misleading propaganda in sections of the Bangladesh media related to the incident.

“We have noted misleading propaganda in sections of the Bangladesh media on the incident. The fact is that about 20-25 youth gathered in front of the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on 20 December and raised slogans in protest against the horrendous killing of Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh, while also calling for the protection of all minorities in Bangladesh. There was no attempt to breach the fence or create a security situation at any time. The police stationed at the spot dispersed the group after a few minutes. Visual evidence of these events is available publicly for all to see. India is committed to ensure the safety of foreign Missions/Posts in its territory in accordance with the Vienna Convention,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.

The developments come at a sensitive time, with Bangladesh set to go to national elections in February and ties between New Delhi and Dhaka already under strain.

Tensions have escalated following widespread protests in Bangladesh after the killing of student political leader Sharif Osman Hadi, triggering fresh concerns in India over rising anti-India sentiment and regional security implications.

Hadi was shot during his election campaign last week. His body was flown back to Dhaka on Friday evening, with his funeral held on Saturday amid simmering unrest across the country.

The interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus condemned the violence, declared a state day of mourning and promised a transparent investigation into Hadi’s killing, while warning against attempts to derail Bangladesh’s democratic transition.