India rejects 'misleading propaganda' over Bangladesh High Commission protest
What's the story
India has dismissed certain reports in the Bangladeshi media that New Delhi tried to create a security situation over a protest outside the Bangladesh High Commission as "misleading propaganda." The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) clarified that around 20-25 youths had gathered at the mission on December 20 to protest against the killing of Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh, Bangladesh, and calling for minority protection in the country. The MEA denied any security situation.
Security assurance
MEA denies breach of security at Bangladesh mission
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said there was "no attempt to breach the fence or create a security situation" at any time during the protest. The police present at the scene dispersed the group within minutes. Visual evidence of these events is publicly available, he added. India reiterated its commitment to ensuring the safety of foreign missions on its territory in accordance with international norms, including the Vienna Convention.
Diplomatic tensions
Bangladesh questions security measures, threatens diplomatic scale-back
In response to India's clarification, Bangladesh's foreign affairs adviser, M Touhid Hossain, questioned how protesters were allowed so close to a sensitive zone. He called India's statement "oversimplified" and said the protesters made "other statements as well." Hossain also threatened to scale back Dhaka's diplomatic presence in India if the situation worsens. Despite these tensions, he said both countries are still communicating through diplomatic channels.
Unrest aftermath
Bangladesh's recent unrest and Das's lynching
The protest came amid a fresh wave of unrest in Bangladesh after student leader Sharif Osman Hadi's death. Hadi was a key figure in anti-government protests. Dipu Chandra Das was lynched by a mob in Mymensingh city on December 18. Police have arrested 12 people so far over their alleged involvement in this murder, The Daily Star reported.