India-Bangladesh ties strain as violent protests deepen crisis
Relations between India and Bangladesh, once described by leaders on both sides as close, time-tested and resilient, are facing one of their most serious crises in years after a brutal killing and a wave of violent protests in Bangladesh.
The immediate trigger was the killing of 27-year-old Dipu Chandra Das, a member of Bangladesh’s Hindu minority, during unrest last week in Mymensingh, northern Bangladesh. Das was accused of blasphemy and beaten to death by a mob, an incident that has shocked communities on both sides of the border and deepened already simmering tensions between Dhaka and Delhi.
The killing occurred amid violent protests sparked by the murder of Sharif Osman Hadi, a prominent student leader, in the capital, Dhaka. As demonstrations spread, Hadi’s supporters alleged that the main suspect in his killing—whom they claim has links to the Awami League, the party of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina—had fled to India. The claim, though unverified, quickly fuelled anger against Delhi in Muslim-majority Bangladesh. Bangladeshi police later said there was no confirmation the suspect had left the country, but the damage to public sentiment was already done.
In India, the death of Dipu Chandra Das triggered protests by Hindu nationalist groups, who accused Bangladesh of failing to protect its minority communities. The images and reports from Mymensingh struck a raw nerve, particularly as concerns about the safety of Hindus in Bangladesh have long been a sensitive political issue in India.
Diplomatic relations have since deteriorated rapidly. Both countries have suspended visa services in several cities, including Delhi, citing security concerns. They have also summoned each other’s high commissioners, accusing one another of failing to ensure adequate protection for diplomatic missions. These moves, while symbolic, signal a level of mistrust that seasoned observers say is rare in the history of bilateral ties.
She described the situation in Bangladesh as “volatile” and warned that it was difficult to predict how events might unfold in the coming days.
Anti-India sentiment in Bangladesh is not new, but recent developments have intensified it. A section of Bangladeshi society has long resented what it sees as India’s overbearing influence, particularly during Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year rule before she was deposed in an uprising last year. That resentment has grown since Hasina took refuge in India, and Delhi has so far declined to extradite her despite repeated requests from Dhaka.
In the aftermath of Hadi’s killing, several young leaders are reported to have made provocative anti-India statements, further inflaming public opinion. Bangladeshi security forces were forced to block protesters from marching towards the Indian high commission in Dhaka, underscoring fears that anger on the streets could spill over into attacks on diplomatic property.
Those fears were realised last week when a mob pelted the Indian assistant high commission building in Chittagong with stones. The incident prompted strong outrage from India. Although police detained 12 people in connection with the attack, they were later released without charge, a decision that has raised questions in Delhi about accountability and deterrence.
The tensions have not been one-sided. In India, there were counter-rallies, including a protest by a Hindu group outside Bangladesh’s diplomatic premises in Delhi. Dhaka strongly objected to the demonstration, calling it “unjustifiable” and arguing that diplomatic missions must be protected from political protests under international norms.
Former Bangladeshi diplomat Humayun Kabir said the current atmosphere is deeply troubling.
At the heart of the crisis lies a fragile mix of domestic politics, communal sensitivities, and unresolved diplomatic issues. What was once a relationship anchored in shared history and strategic cooperation now appears strained by anger, fear, and mutual accusations. Whether Delhi and Dhaka can step back from the brink will depend not only on official diplomacy, but also on their ability to calm public emotions and reaffirm commitments to minority protection, rule of law, and mutual respect.