The high-security diplomatic enclave of Chanakyapuri witnessed a major showdown on Tuesday as hundreds of activists from the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal marched toward the Bangladesh High Commission. The protest, sparked by the horrific killing of a Hindu youth in Bangladesh, escalated into a physical confrontation with the Delhi Police and paramilitary forces.
The Trigger: The Brutal Killing of Dipu Chandra Das
The protest was organized in response to the mob lynching of Dipu Chandra Das, a 27-year-old Hindu garment factory worker in Mymensingh, Bangladesh, on December 18.
- The Incident: Das was allegedly falsely accused of religious defamation, beaten to death by a mob, and his body was subsequently set on fire.
- The Outrage: Videos of the incident surfaced on social media, triggering a wave of condemnation across India and leading the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to label the act as "horrendous" and "barbaric."
High-Stakes Clash at the Barricades
Despite a heavy deployment of security personnel and multi-layered barricading, the demonstrators surged forward, attempting to breach the perimeter of the High Commission.
- Broken Barricades: Protesters successfully toppled the first layer of police barricades near the Durgabai Deshmukh South Campus Metro Station and surged toward the mission.
- Sloganeering: Chants of "Bharat Mata Ki Jai," "Yunus Sarkar Hosh Me Aao," and "Hindu Hatiya Band Karo" echoed through the area. Some protestors were also seen chanting the Hanuman Chalisa while sitting in front of the police cordons.
- Security Response: To prevent the mob from reaching the mission's gates, police utilized a massive force of paramilitary personnel to form a human chain, eventually halting the march at the final security layer.
Diplomatic Tensions Rise
The protest comes at a time of severely strained relations between New Delhi and Dhaka’s interim government led by Muhammad Yunus.
- Visa Suspension: Following earlier protests and vandalism at the Siliguri visa center, Bangladesh has suspended consular and visa services in New Delhi, Agartala, and Siliguri, citing security concerns.
- Indian Envoy Summoned: In response to the protests in Delhi, the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry summoned the Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka, Pranay Verma, to express concern over the safety of its diplomatic missions.
- MEA Stance: While India has dismissed reports of "security breaches" as misleading propaganda, it has reiterated its demand for the Bangladeshi authorities to ensure the safety of minorities and bring Dipu Chandra Das's killers to justice.
VHP’s Nationwide Call
VHP International Working President Alok Kumar has announced that today’s protest is part of a larger nationwide movement. The organization plans to hold similar demonstrations across every district in India over the next 48 hours to demand accountability for the persecution of minorities in the neighboring country.
