Is Bangladesh planning to shrink diplomatic presence in India? Top official rejects MEA statement amid Delhi protest row

Bangladesh may scale down diplomatic presence in India, top official rejects MEA statement amid Delhi protest row

Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain on Sunday said Dhaka could consider scaling down its diplomatic presence in India if security around its missions deteriorates.

“We will go down that road if the situation warrants… For now, we will keep our faith in India to do its bit," Hossain said at a press briefing, responding to Saturday evening’s protest outside the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi.

The demonstration followed the lynching of 27-year-old Hindu garment worker Dipu Chandra Das in Bhaluka, Mymensingh, over alleged blasphemy. While Das was tied up, killed, and his body set ablaze by a mob, Rapid Action Battalion Company Commander Mohd Samsuzzaman told The Daily Star that no evidence indicated that Das had posted anything offensive online.

The incident comes amid nationwide unrest following the killing of anti-India leader Sharif Osman Hadi, which sparked violent protests, attacks on media houses, and clashes with police.

Reacting to media claims in Bangladesh, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said there was “no attempt to breach the fence or create a security situation at any time” during the protest.

“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 while also calling for the protection of all minorities in Bangladesh,” Jaiswal said. He added that demonstrators were dispersed by police within minutes and that India continues to ensure the safety of all diplomatic missions under the Vienna Convention.

Bangladesh’s government rejected the Indian statement, calling it an “oversimplification” and asserting that threats had been made against the Bangladeshi High Commissioner. “We completely reject the press note. Why can they come this far? They have said many things. We have heard that he (HC) has been threatened to kill, but we don’t have evidence,” Hossain said.

“We dismiss and rebut what was said by the Indian side. Why are Hindu right-wing, violent groups being allowed to venture this close to a diplomatic location. They did not only protest Dipu Das’s murder, but I know, I don’t have proof, but I know they gave some other slogans also," he added.

“Police usually stop people far from a diplomatic location. This time, how did they venture this close? Why tie the condition of minorities in Bangladesh to Dipu’s murder? He is a Bangladeshi citizen. Bangladesh will take action," Hossain said.

New Delhi described Das’s killing as “horrendous” and urged Dhaka to bring the perpetrators to justice, while continuing to monitor security around its missions.

Conflicting accounts of Das’s death, with local media citing blasphemy allegations and law enforcement disputing them, have further complicated the situation, prompting heightened vigilance at Indian diplomatic premises.