West Bengal student in Bangladesh says fear stems more from Indian identity, not religious belief

Hundreds of supporters of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal broke through barricades and clashed with police outside the Bangladesh High Commission in Delhi on Tuesday, December 23, 2025. Protesters, waving saffron flags and chanting slogans, were demonstrating against the lynching of a Hindu man in Bangladesh. The situation escalated as demonstrators attempted to approach the High Commission’s perimeter, prompting police to intervene and control the crowd.

In response to the incidents, Bangladesh’s Foreign Ministry summoned Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma to convey Dhaka’s serious concern over security at its missions in India. According to an official statement, Verma was informed about “grave concerns over regrettable incidents” outside the Bangladesh High Commission and residence in New Delhi on December 20, as well as acts of vandalism at the Bangladesh Visa Centre in Siliguri on December 22. The statement added that Dhaka was deeply troubled by violent protests outside different Bangladeshi diplomatic missions across India.

Meanwhile, Supriyo Saha, a young student from West Bengal currently studying in Bangladesh and tracing his family roots there, described the situation as drastically different from mid-2024. He noted that previously, it was relatively easy for Indians to find accommodation and live safely in Bangladesh. However, the recent political unrest, including an uprising that forced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to leave the country, has created an environment where mobs have replaced peaceful protesters. Many involved in the current unrest reportedly have little understanding of the causes they claim to support, intensifying insecurity for residents and foreigners alike.

Authorities in Delhi and Dhaka are monitoring the situation closely as tensions remain high. Both sides have called for restraint and adherence to diplomatic protocols to prevent further escalation. Observers say ongoing unrest in Bangladesh and protests in India reflect a volatile regional atmosphere with potential implications for bilateral relations.