[🇧🇩] Student revolution in Bangladesh-----how does it impact India?

[Saif]

Attack on Agartala mission: Student bodies protest at DU

Students of Jagannath Hall join protest, condemn attack

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Attack on Agartala mission: Student bodies protest at DU
Students of Jagannath Hall join protest, condemn attack

Photo: Star

Leaders and activists from various student organisations staged a demonstration tonight, strongly condemning the attack by a large group of protesters from the Hindu Sangharsh Samity of Agartala on the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in India's Tripura.

The protest followed rallies held by several student groups, including the Anti-Discrimination Students' Movement and Bangladesh Chhatra Odhikar Parishad, near the Raju Memorial Sculpture at Dhaka University.

Student leaders emphasised that the incident in Agartala violated the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, 1961, which protects the inviolability of diplomatic missions.

They also criticised India's approach, noting that the Indian government has maintained relations with the Awami League, but not with the people of Bangladesh.

They expressed concerns over India's dissatisfaction with the ousting of Sheikh Hasina, and the lack of condemnation from India regarding the mass killings of students and civilians in Bangladesh by Awami League.

The student leaders urged India to respect Bangladesh's sovereignty, stating that the safety and rights of all Bangladeshis, including Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians, should be ensured by the Bangladeshi government, not by India. They also called on India to refrain from interfering in Bangladesh's internal affairs.

The leaders further accused India's media of exaggerating incidents of minority attacks in Bangladesh, claiming that India is attempting to politicise these issues. They stressed that Bangladesh enjoys religious harmony, with minorities living peacefully in the country.

Bin Yamin Molla, president of Bangladesh Chhatra Odhikar Parishad, urged all political parties in Bangladesh to unite against India's alleged interference and demanded a ban on Awami League politics, calling it an ally of India.

The protest concluded with students marching in procession across the campus.

During the protest, at least 30-40 residential students of Jagannath Hall, a dormitory comprised of non-Muslim students, went to Raju Memorial to voice their support.

One of the residents, Joy Pal said, "Forget the differences of religion, caste, race, and tribe. We are all Bangladeshis and that is our only identity."

"When it comes to the sovereignty of the country, we will all stand united. We have seen that, at different times, various conspiracies have been made against the Hindus of Bangladesh," he said.

"Not just Hindus, but conspiracies are being made against Bangladesh itself. We all must stand united against these conspiracies."

The attack on the Bangladesh consulate in India should be condemned by every citizen of the country, he added.​

 

[Saif]

Rally held in Ctg to protest Agartala mission attack

The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement tonight held a rally in Chattogram protesting the attack on the premises of the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala

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Rally held in Ctg to protest Agartala mission attack

Photo: Collected

The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement tonight held a rally in Chattogram protesting the attack on the premises of the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala.

Speakers from the rally demanded an explanation from the Indian High Commission over the incident.

The rally, organised by the movement's Chattogram unit at the city's Sholoshohor Railway Station, was addressed by the student movement's Central Coordinator Russell Ahmed and Co-Coordinator Khan Talat Mahmud Rafi.

The speakers at the rally said, "Since independence, India has been trying to spread its hegemony in Bangladesh. During the rule of the dictator Sheikh Hasina, India's hegemony was deep-rooted. But on August 5, the student-led mass uprising uprooted Indian hegemony."

Citing recent recent violence and border killings, they said, "These incidents have been caused by a joint conspiracy between Awami League and India. They are yet again hatching conspiracies and plots. Our appeal to the countrymen is that you should unite. Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, Christians -- we all have to maintain the harmony that exists among us. Together, we will resist this conspiracy," said the leaders of the movement.​

 

[Saif]

Dhaka slams 'heinous attack' on its Agartala mission

The government of Bangladesh today 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 in Agartala...The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in

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Dhaka slams 'heinous attack' on its Agartala mission

The government of Bangladesh today 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 in Agartala.

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 28 November 2024.

"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.

As it is the responsibility of the host government to protect the diplomatic missions from any form of intrusion or damage, Dhaka called upon New Delhi to take immediate action to address this incident and undertake a thorough investigation into the incident.

Bangladesh sought steps to prevent any further acts of violence against the diplomatic missions of Bangladesh in India, including the safety and security of the diplomats and the non-diplomatic members of staff and members of their families.

"The accounts received conclusively attest that the protesters were allowed to aggress into the premises, by breaking down the main gate of Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in a pre-planned manner," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

In the process, in the presence of the members of the local law enforcement agencies, they vandalised the flag pole, desecrated the national flag of Bangladesh and also damaged properties inside the Assistant High Commission, the government of Bangladesh said.

Regrettably, the ministry said, the local police persons present there to protect the premises were found not to be active in containing the situation from the beginning.

All members of the Assistant High Commission are left with a deep sense of insecurity, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The government of India, in a separate statement, said they are taking action to step up security arrangements for the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi and their Deputy/Assistant High Commissions in the country.

"The incident earlier today of the breach of premises at the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala is deeply regrettable," said the Ministry of External Affairs.

Diplomatic and consular properties should not be targeted under any circumstances, the Indian ministry said.​

 

[Saif]

Agartala ‘security breach’ ‘deeply regrettable’: India

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs, in a statement, also said it is taking steps to step up security in diplomatic missions of Bangladesh across the country.

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Agartala ‘security breach’ ‘deeply regrettable’: India
Indian foreign ministry says action taken to step up security for all Bangladesh missions across India

India today said the security breach of the premises at the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala, the capital city of the north eastern state of Agartala, is "deeply regrettable".

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs, in a statement, also said it is taking steps to step up security in diplomatic missions of Bangladesh across the country.

"Diplomatic and consular properties should not be targeted under any circumstances," the MEA said in a statement amidst rising tensions in bilateral ties.

The comments by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) came hours after thousands of people took out a massive rally around the Bangladeshi mission in Tripura protesting the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das and alleged attacks on minorities in Bangladesh.

According to PTI, over 50 protesters reportedly entered the premises of the Bangladesh mission in Agartala, triggering concerns among those present at the complex.

The rally was taken out under the banner of Hindu Sangharsh Samity, an affiliate of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP).

A memorandum was submitted to the Assistant High Commissioner of Bangladesh in Agartala, Arif Mohammad, over the issue, PTI said.

"The incident earlier today of the breach of premises at the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala is deeply regrettable," the MEA said in a statement.

It said the Indian government is taking action to step up security for the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi and other missions of the country in India.

"The government is taking action to step up security arrangements for the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi and their deputy/assistant high commissions in the country," it said.

Last Friday, MEA spokesman Randhir Jaiswal had said that the interim government in Bangladesh must live up to its responsibility of protecting all minorities as it expressed serious concern over the "surge" of extremist rhetoric and increasing incidents of violence against Hindus.

Relations between India and Bangladesh have come under strain after the interim government headed by Professor Muhammad Yunus came to power following the ouster of prime minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5.​

 

[Saif]

Bangladesh won't compromise in regards to sovereignty: Hasnat

Bangladesh will not compromise even an inch in the question of sovereignty and territorial integrity with India, said Anti-Discrimination Students Movement convener Hasnat Abdullah

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Bangladesh won't compromise in regards to sovereignty: Hasnat

Photo: Star

Bangladesh will not compromise even an inch in the question of sovereignty and territorial integrity with India, said Anti-Discrimination Students Movement convener Hasnat Abdullah.

"Do not view this government through the lens of the Awami League. Instead, build a relationship of fairness with it. If our relationship deteriorates, when the question of integrity and sovereignty arises, we will not compromise an inch," Hasnat told reporters following a meeting with Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus yesterday.

The meeting, held at the state guesthouse Jamuna in the capital, began around 6:30pm and continued until 8:00pm.

Hasnat accused the Awami League of using the minority card to perpetuate a narrative that the interests of the Hindu community would only be safeguarded under its rule.

"We want to send a clear message: the Awami League government's oppression, persecution, and looting of minority properties are unparalleled in history," he said.

Referring to India, he said, "If you think only the Awami League can protect minority rights, you are entirely mistaken."

"Let me be clear: when it comes to sovereignty and territorial integrity, Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, and Christians will fight together," he said.

He alleged that India has relied on the Awami League to maintain unfair relationships with Bangladesh over the past 16 years.

"If you believe these unjust ties can continue, you are wrong," he said.

"India has always viewed Bangladesh through the Awami League's perspective. The relationship has not been one between the people of the two countries or even between two states, but rather between India and the Awami League," Hasnat added.

He highlighted the importance of people-to-people and state-to-state relationships between Bangladesh and India.

"We urge the chief adviser to disclose all secret agreements made with the Awami League and the Indian government, ensure justice for border killings, including Felani's case, and guarantee Bangladesh's fair share of water," Hasnat said.

"Our trade relations with India must be based on fairness and dignity," he added.

"Everyone in Bangladesh lives with equality and dignity. We discussed ways to share this harmony with the world and ensure the establishment of an anti-propaganda cell."​

 

[Saif]

BNP voice concern over attack on Bangladesh mission

BNP expressed deep concern over India's remarks surrounding the arrest of former ISKCON leader Chinmoy Krishna Das and subsequent attacks on Bangladeshi diplomatic missions

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BNP voice concern over attack on Bangladesh mission
Slams India's remarks on Chinmoy arrest

BNP expressed deep concern over India's remarks surrounding the arrest of former ISKCON leader Chinmoy Krishna Das and subsequent attacks on Bangladeshi diplomatic missions.

The BNP's National Standing Committee has sharply criticised India's recent responses, stating that such reactions amount to unwarranted interference in Bangladesh's internal affairs, which is contrary to diplomatic norms.

During a meeting at the BNP Chairperson's Gulshan office on Monday, the Standing Committee discussed several issues, including Chinmoy Krishna Das's arrest, the violent incidents that followed (resulting in the death of a lawyer), attacks on Bangladesh's Assistant High Commission in Agartala and Deputy Commission in Kolkata, and what they referred to as "controversial" remarks by India's Ministry of External Affairs.

A standing committee member wishing not to be named told The Daily Star that Bangladesh has refrained from responding to India's internal communal incidents in the past but now India's stance toward Bangladesh has suddenly shifted.

BNP policymakers pointed out the role of Indian media and officials in escalating tensions following the arrest of a Hindu leader and incidents involving ISKCON in Bangladesh.

They alleged these events appear premeditated, with India aiming to destabilise Bangladesh and label it as a communal state.

In light of these events, BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman has called for patience and restraint. Meanwhile, in a statement today, BNP Secretary-General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir condemned the attacks on Bangladesh's missions, terming them violations of the Geneva Convention.

He emphasised that the attack on the Assistant High Commission, including burning the Bangladeshi flag, appeared premeditated and was a clear breach of the Vienna Convention.

Mirza Fakhrul urged the Indian government and its people to avoid using Bangladesh as a tool in their internal political strategies, warning that such actions could lead to long-term tensions between the two countries.

He also expressed hope that India would respect the democratic aspirations of Bangladeshi citizens.

Several members of the standing committee said that while Bangladesh has refrained from reacting to internal communal incidents in India, India's sudden focus on Bangladesh's internal matters is perplexing.

The top BNP leaders in the meeting accused Indian authorities and media of engaging in a deliberate campaign to portray Bangladesh as a communal and unstable state.

The standing committee noted that allegations of communal violence in Bangladesh are being used as a pretext for Indian interference.

They also accused the ruling Awami League of being complicit in these incidents, using them to divert attention from domestic issues, sources said.

The party plans to hold a press conference soon, presenting a documentary on India's recent and historical actions concerning Bangladesh.

The committee expressed satisfaction, stating it proves the case was politically motivated and intended to eliminate the Zia family from politics.

BNP also announced plans to publish a white paper on corruption and economic mismanagement during the Awami League's 15-year tenure, citing $28 billion in money laundering.

Apart from these, the party will organise a grand concert featuring local artists to mark December 16, ensuring it reflects Bangladeshi culture and patriotism without involving artists from India or Pakistan.​

 

[Saif]

India must protect Bangladesh's diplomatic missions

Hostile rhetoric, mobilisations by Hindutva groups fuelling unrest

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India must protect Bangladesh's diplomatic missions
Hostile rhetoric, mobilisations by Hindutva groups fuelling unrest

VISUAL: STAR

We are alarmed by the hostile rhetoric and mobilisations by India's Hindu nationalist groups targeting Bangladesh, which culminated on Monday in an attack on the Assistant High Commission of Bangladesh in Agartala, Tripura. We strongly protest this blatant violation of the Vienna Convention that guarantees the inviolability of diplomatic missions. It also marks a dangerous provocation that risks further straining Bangladesh-India ties and undermining regional stability. True, India has "regretted" this incident, but if India genuinely wants a "stable relationship" with the post-uprising Bangladesh—as its external affairs minister had asserted in September—the government must act decisively to de-escalate tensions and counter disinformation, rather than being a bystander on the sidelines of what appears to be a coordinated anti-Bangladesh campaign.

Monday's attack was reportedly led by the Hindu Sangharsh Samity, an affiliate of the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP). A group of about 150 protesters stormed mission premises, damaged property, and desecrated the Bangladesh flag, while security officials stood by passively. On the same day, the VHP also led another group of protesters near the Deputy High Commission of Bangladesh in Mumbai, just days after a similar protest outside the Deputy High Commission in Kolkata where demonstrators burned our flag and the effigies of Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus. The coordinated nature of all such hostile actions suggests a worrying pattern of hostility surrounding the arrest of former ISKCON leader Chinmoy Krishna Das in Dhaka. What's being lost in the chaos is that this is a legal matter unrelated to his faith, but it's being exploited nonetheless to support the false narrative of minority persecution in Bangladesh.

So, to say these actions were an expression of "longstanding grievances"—as a minister of the Tripura government did—is nothing but an attempt to justify the orchestrated chaos for which local political interests are equally to blame. A case in point is West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's statement in which she urged the Indian government to seek the deployment of UN peacekeeping forces in Bangladesh to "ensure the safety of minorities". Such rhetoric plays into the disinformation campaign by sections of the Indian media that continue to exaggerate isolated incidents of minority attacks in Bangladesh, giving Indian nationalist politicians a tool to rally domestic support and distract from India's own challenges. Calling for UN intervention—an appeal repeated by Mamata's Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Tuesday—is also an affront to Bangladesh's sovereignty, which is totally unacceptable.

We urge the Indian government to thoroughly investigate the recent string of violent protests and ensure the safety of our diplomatic missions and staff. So far, it has reportedly arrested seven individuals and suspended three policemen over the Agartala security breach. However, much more needs to be done to improve safety and restore confidence. Equally important is to actively counter, through fact-checking initiatives, the disinformation campaign that has been ongoing ever since Sheikh Hasina's fall. We also urge Mamata Banerjee to refrain from her offensive posturing against Bangladesh, which will only further inflame tensions.

Bangladesh wants "normal and friendly" relations with India, as our foreign affairs adviser has reiterated, and if India wants the same, it must demonstrate its commitment by addressing any bilateral issues through dialogue and mutual respect, not hostility or misrepresentation.​

 

[Saif]

Bangladesh shuts Agartala mission in India after attack

The Bangladesh mission at Agartala in India was closed on security ground on Tuesday a day after it came under attack by a group of Indian protesters during a violent demonstration.

www.newagebd.net

Bangladesh shuts Agartala mission in India after attack
Mustafizur Rahman 03 December, 2024, 20:20

Front view of Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala. | Collected photo

The Bangladesh mission at Agartala in India was closed on security ground on Tuesday a day after it came under attack by a group of Indian protesters during a violent demonstration.

Indian high commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma was summoned by the foreign ministry in Dhaka over the ‘heinous attack’ on its mission in Agartala, capital of Tripura state.

‘Given the security situation, all visa and consular services at the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission, Agartala will remain suspended until further notice,’ said first secretary and head of chancery Md Al Amin in a notice issued on Tuesday, adding that this came into effect immediately.

This is for the intimation of all the visa and consular service seekers, according to the office order.

In the presence of the members of the local law enforcement agencies, the Indian protesters on Monday vandalised the flag pole, desecrated the national flag of Bangladesh and also damaged properties inside the assistant high commission, according to the foreign ministry officials in Dhaka.

Tripura has been witnessing widespread protests over the arrest and detention of a Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das, a former leader of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, in Chattogram on November 25.

The violent demonstration and attack by a large group of protesters of the Hindu Sangharsh Samity on Monday afternoon on the premises of the assistant high commission of Bangladesh in Agartala of India drew widespread condemnations and protests here in Bangladesh.

Indian high commissioner Verma, after attending the meeting with acting foreign secretary Reaz Hamidullah on being summoned, said, ‘We are willing to engage with the interim government of Bangladesh.’

The Indian envoy on Tuesday also told the reporters that Delhi wanted to maintain constant, stable and constructive relationship with Dhaka.

Terming the relationship between the two countries as ‘multifaceted and wide-ranging’, he said that India was interested to work with Bangladesh government to fulfill shared aspiration of the two neighbouring nations for peace, security and development.

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam at a separate briefing at the Foreign Service Academy, said India was a big neighbour of Bangladesh and the government wanted good relations with the neighbour.

‘But the good relationship should be based on just and equity,’ he added.

The Hindustan Times reported that Indian authorities have already arrested seven people and suspended four police officers for their alleged involvement in the attack on Bangladesh assistant high commission in Agartala.

The Indian police on Tuesday said that a case was filed against the suspects, including Jhutan Das (Golchakkar border), Ujjwal Das (Dashamighat), Diptanil Bhowmik (Abhoynagar), Surja Das (Amtali), Alak Majumder (SDO Chowmuhani), Pradip Saha (79 Tilla), and Jhulan Malakar (Belonia), read the report available online.

Thousands of people on Monday held a massive rally in Agartala, demanding the immediate release of Chinmoy and stopping alleged attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh, reports The Economic Times on Monday.

Protesters from the rally brought out a procession under the banner of Hindu Sangharsh Samity, an affiliate of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, and stormed into the Bangladesh assistant high commissioner’s office there having a workforce of only nine.

All the employees of the mission office were left with insecurity after the protesters damaged properties inside the office and desecrated Bangladesh’s national flag, according to foreign ministry officials in Dhaka.

The Bangladesh high commission in New Delhi maintains diplomatic representative offices in Agartala, Chennai, Mumbai, Guwahati and Kolkata.

The Indian government, meanwhile, has upped the security of the Bangladesh diplomatic missions in India, the Indian media reported.

Indian Hindus also took part in a protest outside the Bangladesh mission in Mumbai on Monday amid the unrest in Bangladesh after the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das, Agence France-Presse reported.

The professor Muhammad Yunus-led government has reaffirmed ‘in the strongest terms’ that every Bangladeshi, regardless of their religious identity, has the ‘right to establish, maintain or perform respective religious rituals and practices or express views without hindrance.’

Dhaka has deeply resented the violent demonstration and attack by the protesters of the Hindu Sangharsh Samity on the premises of the assistant high commission of Bangladesh in Agartala of India.

‘This particular act in Agartala stands in violation of the inviolability of diplomatic missions, as the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, 1961, asks for,’ said the Bangladesh foreign ministry in a press statement on Monday.

It said that all members of the assistant high commission were left ‘with a deep sense of insecurity.’

The government has already called upon the Indian government to take immediate action to address this incident, to undertake a thorough investigation into the incident and to prevent any further acts of violence against the diplomatic missions of Bangladesh in India, including the safety and security of the diplomats and the non-diplomatic members of staff and members of their families.​