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.

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