View from Dhaka: Hindutva mob attack on Bangladeshi Mission in Agartala violates Vienna Convention

By Md. Abu Saim*

On December 2, the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala, India, was attacked by protesters under the banner of the Hindu Sangharsh Samiti, affiliated with the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), a Hindutva-oriented organization. Bangladesh strongly condemned the attack, which took place in Tripura, bordering its Sylhet and Chattogram divisions.

The mob vandalized the mission, damaged property, and forcibly lowered the Bangladeshi flag. Local police reportedly failed to prevent the attack, raising concerns about India's commitment to safeguarding foreign missions as per the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, 1961. The incident led the Agartala mission to suspend its visa services over security concerns. Bangladesh's Foreign Ministry called the attack premeditated and criticized Indian law enforcement for their inaction. This followed a similar incident on November 28, when a mob burned the Bangladeshi flag outside the Deputy High Commission in Kolkata.

The attacks have sparked protests in Bangladesh, including at Dhaka University, where students of all faiths demonstrated in solidarity. The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement announced marches, demanding accountability for the Agartala attack. Meanwhile, India’s Ministry of External Affairs stated it was enhancing security at Bangladeshi diplomatic missions.

Tensions escalated further following the arrest of ISKCON leader Chinmoy Krishna Das in Chittagong on sedition charges, which led to violent clashes and the death of a lawyer. The Agartala mob had demanded his release and accused Bangladesh of persecuting Hindus. However, Bangladeshi officials dismissed claims of systematic minority repression, emphasizing the country's tradition of religious harmony.

The attack violated diplomatic norms, prompting Bangladesh to call for a thorough investigation and explanations from India. Indian officials expressed regret, reaffirming the importance of protecting diplomatic missions. Despite this, Bangladeshi authorities intensified security around Indian missions in Bangladesh, including an eightfold increase in Chattogram and enhanced measures at the Indian High Commission in Dhaka.

Md Touhid Hossain, Foreign Affairs Adviser to Bangladesh's interim government, criticized Indian media for spreading misinformation about the status of Hindus in Bangladesh. He accused Indian politicians, including West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, of using the minority rights issue for political gain. Banerjee’s call for a UN peacekeeping mission in Bangladesh was dismissed as a populist move.

In response to the tensions, Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus convened national unity meetings. Foreign Adviser Hossain highlighted the dangers of misinformation campaigns and provocations, such as recent protests in Assam’s Karimganj district, where demonstrators threatened to cross into Bangladesh over alleged atrocities against Hindus. He assured that such attempts would face legal action.

Hossain reaffirmed Bangladesh's commitment to religious equality and called for constructive dialogue with India. He emphasized that both nations must avoid actions that exacerbate tensions. Indian Ambassador to Dhaka, Pranay Verma, stressed the importance of viewing bilateral relations holistically, acknowledging the potential long-term impact of such incidents on diplomatic ties.

For relations to improve, India must address its handling of the situation and engage in honest dialogue. Both nations benefit from a stable and cooperative relationship. Ignoring or downplaying these incidents risks further deterioration, potentially harming mutual interests in the region.

---

*Former student of International Relations at Dhaka University, currently, employed as a humanitarian worker

Comments

US-China truce temporary, larger trade war between two economies to continue

By Prabir Purkayastha The Trump-Xi meeting in Busan, South Korea on 30 October 2025 may have brought about a temporary relief in the US-China trade war. But unless we see the fine print of the agreement, it is difficult to assess whether this is a temporary truce or the beginning of a real rapprochement between the two nations. The jury is still out on that one and we will wait for a better understanding of what has really been achieved in Busan.

Mergers and privatisation: The Finance Minister’s misguided banking agenda

By Thomas Franco The Finance Minister has once again revived talk of merging two or three large public sector banks to make them globally competitive. Reports also suggest that the government is considering appointing Managing Directors in public sector banks from the private sector. Both moves would strike at the heart of India’s public banking system . Privatisation undermines the constitutional vision of social and economic justice, and such steps could lead to irreversible damage.

Political misfires in Bihar: Reasons behind the Opposition's self-inflicted defeat

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat* The Bihar Vidhansabha Election 2025 verdict is out. I maintained deliberate silence about the growing tribe of “social media” experts and their opinions. Lately, these do not fascinate me. Anyone forming an opinion solely on the basis of these “experts” lives in a fool’s paradise. I do not watch them, nor do I follow them on Twitter. I stayed away partly because I was not certain of a MahaGathbandhan victory, even though I wanted it. But my personal preference is not the issue here. The parties disappointed.

New RTI draft rules inspired by citizen-unfriendly, overtly bureaucratic approach

By Venkatesh Nayak* The Department of Personnel and Training , Government of India has invited comments on a new set of Draft Rules (available in English only) to implement The Right to Information Act, 2005 . The RTI Rules were last amended in 2012 after a long period of consultation with various stakeholders. The Government’s move to put the draft RTI Rules out for people’s comments and suggestions for change is a welcome continuation of the tradition of public consultation. Positive aspects of the Draft RTI Rules While 60-65% of the Draft RTI Rules repeat the content of the 2012 RTI Rules, some new aspects deserve appreciation as they clarify the manner of implementation of key provisions of the RTI Act. These are: Provisions for dealing with non-compliance of the orders and directives of the Central Information Commission (CIC) by public authorities- this was missing in the 2012 RTI Rules. Non-compliance is increasingly becoming a major problem- two of my non-compliance cases are...

Buddhist shrines were 'massively destroyed' by Brahmanical rulers: Historian DN Jha

Nalanda mahavihara By Rajiv Shah Prominent historian DN Jha, an expert in India's ancient and medieval past, in his new book , "Against the Grain: Notes on Identity, Intolerance and History", in a sharp critique of "Hindutva ideologues", who look at the ancient period of Indian history as "a golden age marked by social harmony, devoid of any religious violence", has said, "Demolition and desecration of rival religious establishments, and the appropriation of their idols, was not uncommon in India before the advent of Islam".

Shrinking settlements, fading schools: The Tibetan exile crisis in India

By Tseten Lhundup* Since the 14th Dalai Lama fled to India in 1959, the Tibetan exile community in Dharamsala has established the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) as the guardian of Tibetan culture and identity. Once admired for its democratic governance , educational system , and religious vitality , the exile community now faces an alarming demographic and institutional decline.

N-power plant at Mithi Virdi: CRZ nod is arbitrary, without jurisdiction

By Krishnakant* A case-appeal has been filed against the order of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) and others granting CRZ clearance for establishment of intake and outfall facility for proposed 6000 MWe Nuclear Power Plant at Mithi Virdi, District Bhavnagar, Gujarat by Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) vide order in F 11-23 /2014-IA- III dated March 3, 2015. The case-appeal in the National Green Tribunal at Western Bench at Pune is filed by Shaktisinh Gohil, Sarpanch of Jasapara; Hajabhai Dihora of Mithi Virdi; Jagrutiben Gohil of Jasapara; Krishnakant and Rohit Prajapati activist of the Paryavaran Suraksha Samiti. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued a notice to the MoEF&CC, Gujarat Pollution Control Board, Gujarat Coastal Zone Management Authority, Atomic Energy Regulatory Board and Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and case is kept for hearing on August 20, 2015. Appeal No. 23 of 2015 (WZ) is filed, a...

Celebrating 125 yr old legacy of healthcare work of missionaries

Vilas Shende, director, Mure Memorial Hospital By Moin Qazi* Central India has been one of the most fertile belts for several unique experiments undertaken by missionaries in the field of education and healthcare. The result is a network of several well-known schools, colleges and hospitals that have woven themselves into the social landscape of the region. They have also become a byword for quality and affordable services delivered to all sections of the society. These institutions are characterised by committed and compassionate staff driven by the selfless pursuit of improving the well-being of society. This is the reason why the region has nursed and nurtured so many eminent people who occupy high positions in varied fields across the country as well as beyond. One of the fruits of this legacy is a more than century old iconic hospital that nestles in the heart of Nagpur city. Named as Mure Memorial Hospital after a British warrior who lost his life in a war while defending his cou...

Sardar Patel was on Nathuram Godse's hit list: Noted Marathi writer Sadanand More

Sadanand More (right) By A Representative In a surprise revelation, well-known Gujarati journalist Hari Desai has claimed that Nathuram Godse did not just kill Mahatma Gandhi, but also intended to kill Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Citing a voluminous book authored by Sadanand More, “Lokmanya to Mahatma”, Volume II, translated from Marathi into English last year, Desai says, nowadays, there is a lot of talk about conspiracy to kill Gandhi, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, and Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, but little is known about how the Sardar was also targeted.

Search This Blog