Protests erupt outside Bangladesh High Commission
Protests erupted outside the Bangladesh High Commission in the national Capital on Tuesday following the killing of a Hindu man in Bangladesh, triggering outrage among several organisations. Demonstrators, led by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal, gathered to condemn the death of Dipu Chandra Das and to allege rising attacks on minorities and vandalism of Hindu religious places in the neighbouring country.
Holding placards and banners, protestors raised slogans demanding justice and accountability from the Bangladeshi authorities. The situation turned tense as a large crowd pushed against police barricades, chanting slogans such as Bharat Mata Ki Jai, Yunus Sarkar hosh mein aao, Hindu hatya band karo, and Islami jihad murdabad. According to officials, demonstrators managed to damage at least two layers of barricading.
Senior leaders of the VHP and Bajrang Dal, including Kapil Khanna, Surender Gupta, Goldy, Ashoke Gupta, Sunil Suri and Ram Niwas Atri, participated in the protest. Speaking to The Pioneer, VHP leader Surender Gupta said, “We do not want diplomatic relations with Bangladesh at the cost of atrocities on Hindus. The Government will handle diplomacy, but relations should not come at the expense of our community’s safety.”
Tensions escalated when sections of the crowd attempted to move closer to the High Commission, leading to brief clashes with security personnel. Police resorted to a mild lathi-charge and detained several protestors to disperse the gathering and restore order.
Officials said protestors breached multiple security layers before police and paramilitary forces regained control of the area. Some demonstrators also burned effigies of Bangladesh’s interim chief, Muhammad Yunus, while continuing to demand protection for minorities.
Anticipating the protest, security agencies had deployed heavy police and paramilitary presence around the High Commission. The area was secured with multiple barricades, and Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses were parked to block further movement. A senior police officer said personnel managed to stop the protestors around 800 metres away from the High Commission.
A protestor at the site said, “A Hindu man was brutally killed. We want strict action against those responsible and demand that even the Bangladesh police ensure justice.”
The protests follow the killing of Dipu Chandra Das, a 25-year-old garment factory worker, who was lynched by a mob in the Baluka area of Mymensingh district on December 18 over alleged blasphemy. The incident has sparked condemnation in both India and Bangladesh. Authorities in Bangladesh have reportedly arrested at least 12 people in connection with the case.
Delhi Police said the situation is now under control, though security has been tightened in and around the High Commission area.
