The Bangladesh police clashed with protesters near the Indian High Commission on Wednesday — mere hours after India lodged a protest amid growing security concerns. The Ministry of External Affairs had summoned envoy Riaz Hamidullah earlier in the day and urged the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus to uphold ‘diplomatic obligations’. Local media reports indicated that hundreds had assembled for the agitation and broke through initial barriers before raising slogans on the road. They had demanded the return of deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina and others who amid July 2024 uprising.
According to a report by The Daily Star, the agitators assembled under the banner of ‘July Oikya’ near Rampura Bridge in Dhaka before starting their march around 3:15 pm. The police had erected barricades to block the route as the procession advanced — but initially failed to stop their advance. The protesters had managed to breach the initial barriers but were stopped again by a stronger police blockade further ahead. Unable to proceed, the demonstrators eventually sat on the road, raised slogans and addressed the gathering using loudspeakers.
Why did MEA summon the Bangladesh envoy?
People familiar with the matter told PTI that the envoy was summoned by the MEA and served a demarche or a formal diplomatic note. New Delhi had lodged a vehement protest on Wednesday morning amid reports that extremist elements were planning to create a security situation around the Indian mission in Dhaka.
“Hamidullah was apprised of India’s strong concerns at the deteriorating security environment in Bangladesh. His attention was drawn, in particular, to the activities of some extremist elements who have announced plans to create a security situation around the Indian Mission in Dhaka. India completely rejects the false narrative sought to be created by extremist elements regarding certain recent events in Bangladesh. It is unfortunate that the interim government has neither conducted a thorough investigation nor shared meaningful evidence with India regarding the incidents,” the MEA wrote in an official statement.
India also expressed its serious concerns over the deteriorating security situation in Bangladesh and reiterated its call for holding free, fair and credible parliamentary elections. The polls are scheduled for February 12.
Concerns over Sheikh Hasina
Three days back, Bangladesh foreign ministry summoned Indian envoy to Dhaka, Pranay Verma and conveyed its concern over former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s “incendiary” statements from Indian soil.
In its reaction, New Delhi asserted that it has never allowed its territory to be used for activities inimical to the interests of Bangladesh.
Last month, Hasina, 78, was sentenced to death by a special tribunal in Dhaka for “crimes against humanity” over her government’s brutal crackdown on the student-led protests last year.
The Awami League leader has been living in India since she fled Bangladesh on August 5 last year in the face of the protests.
The relations between India and Bangladesh came under strain after the interim government headed by Muhammad Yunus came to power.
India has been expressing concerns over attacks on minorities, especially Hindus, in that country.