Protests at Bangladesh Missions in India: Delhi and Kolkata Updates

Visa services suspended as hundreds protest the brutal lynching of a Hindu youth in Bangladesh; Police deploy heavy security to guard diplomatic zones.

NEW DELHI / KOLKATA — December 23, 2025 — Large-scale protests erupted today outside the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi and the Deputy High Commission in Kolkata. The demonstrations were triggered by the recent mob lynching of a Hindu youth, Dipu Chandra Das, in Bangladesh. The escalating unrest has led the Bangladeshi missions to indefinitely suspend visa and consular services in several Indian cities, citing security concerns.

 

Delhi: High-Security Zone Becomes a Battleground

In the national capital, hundreds of protesters led by the VHP and Bajrang Dal attempted to storm the Bangladesh High Commission in Chanakyapuri.

• Police Crackdown: Delhi Police deployed over 15,000 personnel and set up three layers of heavy iron barricades.

• Scuffles & Detentions: Tensions peaked when protesters tried to climb over the barricades to reach the mission gates. Police engaged in physical scuffles to push the crowd back, eventually detaining dozens of activists and shifting them to local police stations in buses.

 

Kolkata: 'Hindu Hunkar' Rally Leads to Lathi Charge

In Kolkata, a massive 'Padayatra' (march) organized by the Bongiyo Hindu Jagaran Mancha choked the streets from Sealdah to Beckbagan.

• Violence Erupts: When the march reached the Beckbagan crossing, protesters broke through the initial police cordon.

• Police Action: To prevent the mob from reaching the Deputy High Commission office, Kolkata Police resorted to a halki lathi-charge (mild use of force) and used water cannons to disperse the crowd.

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The Root Cause: The Mymensingh Tragedy

The spark for these nationwide protests was the brutal killing of Dipu Chandra Das, a 25-year-old Hindu garment worker in Mymensingh, Bangladesh, on December 18.

• The Incident: Das was falsely accused of "blasphemy" by a mob. He was beaten to death, and his body was reportedly set on fire.

• Official Findings: Bangladesh’s security forces later confirmed that the accusations were baseless and that no offensive material was found on the victim's phone. While 12 people have been arrested, the incident has caused deep outrage across India.

 

Diplomatic and Public Impact

The unrest has led to a significant breakdown in regular diplomatic activities:

1. Visa Suspension: The Bangladesh High Commission has closed its visa windows in New Delhi, Agartala, and Siliguri. This has left hundreds of travelers and medical patients in limbo.

2. Official Protest: Bangladesh has summoned India's High Commissioner in Dhaka, while India has demanded that the interim government in Bangladesh provide better protection for its minority communities.

Fact Sheet: Current Situation

Location	Key Incident	Current Status
New Delhi	Attempted breach of Mission gates.	High Alert; Entry to Chanakyapuri restricted.
Kolkata	Lathi-charge at Beckbagan crossing.	Police patrolling increased; Area cleared.
Agartala	Violent protests and office closure.	Consular services remain shut indefinitely.