Select Language:
Bangladesh has halted its consular services and visa processing at the High Commission in New Delhi after protests the government labeled “unjustified” and “deeply regrettable.” The suspension also affects the Assistant High Commission in Agartala, with officials indicating these closures will persist until further notice.
India’s ANI reports that a formal notice was posted at the Bangladesh High Commission warning of the temporary suspension of all consular and visa services due to “unavoidable circumstances.” The shutdown follows a demonstration outside the Bangladesh HC organized by the “Akhand Hindu Rashtra Sena,” which Delhi claimed was against the death of Dipu Chandra Das and aimed at safeguarding minorities in Bangladesh.
Das, a garment factory employee, was reportedly assaulted and killed on December 18 in Mymensingh amid accusations of blasphemy. His body was later burned, as detailed by Prothom Alo.
Bangladesh’s Foreign Ministry rejected India’s characterization of the protest as “misleading propaganda,” asserting that the group was permitted to carry out activities outside the embassy premises, causing unrest among staff.
Tensions between the two countries escalated further after the murder of Sharif Osman Hadi, a prominent student leader. Hadi, aged 32, was shot in Dhaka while campaigning for elections. He was a spokesperson for the Inquilab Mancha and had participated in protests that ousted Sheikh Hasina’s government. Following his death, mobs targeted the Indian Assistant High Commission in Chittagong and set fire to several newspapers in Dhaka, accusing them of favoring India. Sheikh Hasina has been in refuge in India since fleeing Bangladesh amidst the upheaval in 2024.
ChatGPT
Perplexity
Gemini AI
Grok AI
