Bangladesh police stopped demonstrators heading to an Indian diplomatic office after New Delhi warned of a 'deteriorating' security situation. The protests come amid strained ties after former prime minister Sheikh Hasina fled to India and was recently sentenced to death in absentia. India summoned Bangladesh's top diplomat, urging the interim government under Muhammad Yunus to protect missions. National elections are set for February 12, with the Awami League barred from contesting.
Bangladesh Protests Halted Near Indian Mission After New Delhi Flags Security Risks
Protesters were stalled by police in Rajshahi (-)(-/AFP/AFP)
Bangladesh police on Thursday prevented a group of demonstrators from marching toward an Indian diplomatic office, a move coming a day after India's foreign ministry warned of a 'deteriorating' security environment in Bangladesh.
Dozens of protesters set out for the assistant Indian high commissioner's office in Rajshahi district, which borders India. One participant, Miftahul Jannat, said the group intended to stage a sit-in demanding 'the repatriation of all the killers including Sheikh Hasina'. Police intervened and said they had 'listened to their demands and promised to forward them to the authorities'.
Nashid Farhad, a senior officer with Rajshahi Metropolitan Police, told AFP that officers hoped the matter would be resolved peacefully and that they were not aware of further planned demonstrations.
A separate group earlier attempted to march toward the Indian High Commission in Dhaka on Wednesday. In response, India's foreign ministry summoned Bangladesh's top diplomat in New Delhi and expressed concern about actions by some 'extremist elements' in Bangladesh. The ministry said it expected the interim government under Muhammad Yunus to 'ensure the safety of missions and posts in Bangladesh in keeping with its diplomatic obligations'.
Background and Political Context
Relations between Dhaka and New Delhi have been strained since former prime minister Sheikh Hasina fled to India following a student-led uprising last year. Bangladesh has repeatedly requested her extradition so she can stand trial on allegations tied to crimes against humanity; New Delhi says it is examining those requests.
Last month, a Bangladeshi court sentenced Hasina, 78, to death in absentia on charges of crimes against humanity. Bangladesh — a country of about 170 million people — is scheduled to hold national elections on February 12. Hasina's former ruling party, the Awami League, is currently barred from contesting.
Why it matters: India’s public warning and diplomatic steps underline growing regional concern about security in Bangladesh ahead of a contested election, while domestic tensions and high-profile legal rulings continue to shape bilateral relations.
