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NEW DELHI / DHAKA — Tensions between India and Bangladesh reached a boiling point this weekend following the gruesome killing of a Hindu man in Mymensingh, triggering a sharp diplomatic exchange that has exposed deepening fissures between the two neighbors.
The friction centers on the death of Dipu Chandra Das, a 25-year-old Hindu garment worker who was lynched by a mob on Thursday night over unproven allegations of blasphemy. The brutality of the act—reports indicate Das was beaten, tied to a tree, and his body set ablaze—has drawn a fierce rebuke from New Delhi.
“Horrendous Act”: India Demands Accountability
On Sunday, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) characterized the killing as a “horrendous act” and voiced “strong concern” regarding the safety of minorities in Bangladesh.
“Our officials remain in touch with Bangladesh authorities and have conveyed our strong concerns at the attacks on minorities,” said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal. “We have also urged that the perpetrators of the barbaric killing of Das be brought to justice.”
While the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government in Dhaka has condemned the lynching and announced the arrest of at least seven suspects, India maintains that the incident is part of a broader, alarming pattern of targeted violence against Hindus following the political upheaval in August.
The “High Commission” Contention
The diplomatic spat escalated further over a protest held outside the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on December 20.
- India’s Stance: The MEA dismissed reports in Bangladeshi media about a security breach as “misleading propaganda.” New Delhi clarified that a small group of 20–25 youths gathered briefly to protest the Mymensingh killing and were peacefully dispersed by police within minutes.
- Bangladesh’s Rebuttal: Dhaka rejected India’s explanation, questioning how any group could reach a “highly secured diplomatic zone” without a lapse in security. Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain claimed the incident was “oversimplified” by India and alleged that the High Commissioner and his family felt threatened.
Current Security Fallout
The fallout has already begun to impact cross-border movement. On Sunday, the Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) in Chittagong suspended all operations indefinitely, citing a “security incident” at the Assistant High Commission of India.
The Victim – Dipu Chandra Das (25), Mymensingh district.
The Allegation – Blasphemy during a factory event; local groups claim “fake accusation.”
Arrests – 7–10 individuals apprehended by Bangladesh’s RAB.
Visa Operations – Suspended in Chittagong as of December 21, 2025.
As both nations trade accusations of “propaganda” and “security lapses,” the immediate future of India-Bangladesh relations appears increasingly volatile, with the safety of the 13-million-strong Hindu minority in Bangladesh remaining at the heart of the crisis.
