Tensions between Bangladesh and India have escalated following Monday's attack by a Hindu religious group on the Bangladesh mission in Agartala, Tripura, prompting the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry to summon the Indian High Commissioner for a formal protest.
Amid the evolving situation, Bangladesh authorities on Tuesday suspended all visa and consular services at the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala.
Talking to reporters after his meeting with Bangladesh’s acting Foreign Secretary Riaz Hamidullah, High Commissioner Pranay Verma said the “multifaceted and wide-ranging” relations between the two countries cannot be reduced to one issue.
Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam, at a separate briefing at the Foreign Service Academy, said India is a big neighbour and Bangladesh wants good relations with the neighbor. “But we think this good relationship should be based on just and equity.”
High Commissioner Verma said they want to build a “constant, stable and constructive” relationship with Bangladesh.
Speaking to reporters briefly at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he said they are interested in working with Bangladesh to fulfill their shared aspirations in the field of peace, security and development. There are many interdependencies and they want to build on that for mutual benefits, he said.
India’s Action
Indian authorities have arrested seven people and taken action against four policemen in connection with a demonstration and attack on the premises of the Assistant High Commission of Bangladesh at Agartala in India.
Three sub-inspectors were suspended, and a deputy superintendent of police was "closed", reports Indian media on Tuesday quoting West Tripura SP Kiran Kumar K.
"A suo-motu case was registered at the New Capital Complex (NCC) police station over the incident. Seven persons have been arrested so far for their alleged involvement in the incident," he said.
Bangladesh’s Protests
Bangladesh authorities on Monday said it “deeply resents” the “violent demonstration and attack” by a large group of protesters of the Hindu Sangharsh Samity of Agartala on the premises of the Assistant High Commission of Bangladesh.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement, underlined that this “heinous attack” on a diplomatic mission of Bangladesh and desecration of the national flag of Bangladesh comes in a pattern, further to a similar violent demonstration in Kolkata on November 28, 2024.
Read: Visa, consular services at Bangladesh mission in Agartala suspended
“This particular act in Agartala stands in violation of the inviolability of diplomatic missions, as the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, 1961, asks for,” the ministry said.
BGB on Alert
Amid the growing tensions over the incident, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has stepped up vigil along the border to thwart any evil activities and unwanted situations.
The brief statement from the BGB headquarters was issued on Tuesday, a day after radical Hindu protesters attacked Bangladesh’s Assistant High Commission in Agartala, Tripura.
BNP’s Concerns
BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Tuesday urged the interim government to seek assistance from the UN peacekeeping force to ensure the security for the staff of Bangladesh's diplomatic missions in India as they failed to provide security for them.
“The officials and employees of the Bangladesh missions are suffering from a sense of insecurity. In this situation, the Bangladesh government should seek assistance from the UN peacekeeping force and take measures for the security of our people there," he said.
He made the call at a press conference in the BNP central office in Nayapaltan.
Rizvi said being instigated by the BJP government, the extremist terrorists carried out the brutal attack on the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Kunjaban, Agartala amid the silent presence of the members of the law enforcement agencies.
Jatiya Nagarik Committee,a platform for stakeholders in the July-August Uprising, held a protest rally Tuesday against the attack on Bangladesh’s diplomatic mission in Agartala.
Read more: Protest held outside Indian Mission in Khulna over Agartala attack
Besides, Islami Andolon Bangladesh held a protest outside the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque in Dhaka condemning the attack and to denounce “anti-Bangladesh provocations” by India.
Chinmoy’s Arrest and India’s Reaction
Tensions between India and Bangladesh escalated following the arrest of former ISKCON leader Chinmoy Krishna Das on sedition charges.
Lawyer Saiful Islam, 32, was killed amid violent clashes among police, lawyers, and supporters of Chinmoy after a Chattogram court denied him bail.
The unrest erupted when thousands of Chinmoy's followers gathered at the court premises, blocking the prison van carrying him and demanding his immediate release.
After Chinmoy’s arrest India expressed concern over what it claimed as attacks on minorities who were peacefully protesting the arrest of Das. "We urge Bangladesh authorities to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and all minorities, including their right of freedom of peaceful assembly and expression," the Indian foreign ministry said in a statement.
The interim government also responded to a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs of India on a matter which Bangladesh sees as "internal affairs."
"It is with utter dismay and deep sense of hurt that the government of Bangladesh notes that the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das has been misconstrued by certain quarters since Chinmoy Krishna Das has been arrested on specific charges," said Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister in a statement on the same day.
Chinmoy’s Bail Hearing
The bail hearing in a sedition case against Chinmoy Krishna Das has been rescheduled to January 2.
Chattogram Metropolitan Sessions Judge Md Saiful Islam fixed the next date on Tuesday following the prosecution's request for time due to the absence of his lawyer.
Read more: Dhaka sharply reacts over “heinous attack” on its Agartala mission
On November 26, Chattogram Sixth Metropolitan Magistrate Judge Kazi Shariful Islam rejected the bail plea and sent him to jail.