Bangladesh has rejected India’s characterization of a protest outside its High Commission in New Delhi as “misleading propaganda,” describing the incident as “highly regrettable.”
According to Bangladeshi media, around 20–25 protesters gathered outside the High Commission on Saturday evening, raising anti-Bangladesh slogans and issuing threats against the Bangladesh high commissioner, Prothom Alo reported.
In response, Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on Sunday that India had noted “misleading propaganda in sections of the Bangladesh media regarding the incident.” He added that the protest involved a small group of youth demonstrating against the killing of Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh and calling for protection of minorities in Bangladesh.
Prothom Alo reported that Das, a garment factory worker, was beaten to death on December 18 over allegations of blasphemy, and his body was subsequently set on fire. Ten people have been arrested in connection with the incident.
Jaiswal clarified that the protesters did not attempt to breach the High Commission’s perimeter or create a security threat. Police on site dispersed the group within minutes, and visual evidence of the protest is publicly available. He reaffirmed India’s commitment to the safety of foreign missions under the Vienna Convention and noted that Indian officials are in contact with Bangladeshi authorities, urging justice for the killing of Das.
In reply, Bangladesh’s Foreign Ministry described the “unjustifiable incident” on December 20 as highly regrettable and rejected India’s “misleading propaganda” claim. It stated that the protesters were allowed to act just outside the High Commission, causing panic among staff, and that the mission had not been informed in advance.
While acknowledging India’s commitment to the security of Bangladeshi diplomatic missions, Dhaka rejected attempts to frame the killing of Das, a Hindu citizen, as part of wider attacks on minorities. The ministry confirmed that suspects had been promptly arrested and noted that Bangladesh’s intercommunal situation remains more stable than in many other parts of South Asia. It stressed that all governments in the region have a responsibility to protect minorities.
Bilateral ties between India and Bangladesh have been tense since former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled to India following a student-led uprising last year. Dhaka has repeatedly sought her extradition to face trial, with Delhi stating that the requests are under review.
Recent protests in India, including attempts to march toward Indian diplomatic missions, have been linked to calls for Hasina’s repatriation and concerns over the country’s security situation following the killing of a prominent youth leader.
