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| Image: Bangladesh High Commision in Delhi |
Kolkata/New Delhi: Following protests by several Hindutva extremist groups in front of Bangladesh’s diplomatic missions and visa centers in India, the Bangladesh visa centers in Kolkata and Siliguri have been temporarily closed for security reasons. At the same time, consular services and visa operations at the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi have also been suspended until further notice.
A responsible official of the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata confirmed the matter on Monday evening. The official said that although the visa centers are operated by a private company, they have been instructed to suspend operations temporarily in view of the overall security situation.
Throughout the day, protests by Hindutva extremist groups created a tense situation in Kolkata and Siliguri. In Siliguri, activists of the extremist organizations Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Hindu Jagran Manch held a rally at Baghajatin Park and took out a procession. When the procession reached the Bangladesh visa center, some individuals in the crowd tore down flex banners bearing the Bangladeshi flag and set them on fire. An effigy of Professor Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of Bangladesh’s interim government, was also burned. During the protest, threats were issued to keep the Bangladesh visa center closed.
Law enforcement agencies cordoned off the visa center to bring the situation under control. According to sources, the Siliguri visa center had already been closed earlier due to the protests.
In Kolkata, three rounds of protests took place in front of the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission. Initially, a group calling itself the extremist “Nastik Manch” attempted to advance toward the premises at noon but was stopped by police. Later, they staged a protest about 200 meters away and submitted a memorandum. After that, workers of the Indian National Congress held a protest for nearly an hour and sent a five-member delegation.
Finally, under the leadership of Hindutva BJP leader and Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, extremist Subhendu Adhikari, a rally was held under the banner of the Hindutva extremist organization “Hindu Sanatani.” Clashes occurred as police tried to stop the protesters, and a road blockade was enforced at Beckbagan crossing for nearly an hour. An effigy was also set on fire there.
Meanwhile, a notice posted at the gate of the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi stated that consular services and visa operations would remain suspended until further instructions. Officials at Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka have also confirmed the development.
According to ministry sources, recent protests and attacks on visa centers in various parts of India have heightened concerns over the security of diplomatic missions. Officials have expressed concern that, under international norms, ensuring the security of embassies and high commissions is the responsibility of the host country, and that this obligation is being violated.
The protests began after the killing of a garment worker named Dipu Chandra Das in Bhaluka, Mymensingh. Since then, demonstrations have spread to various parts of India, particularly in Kolkata, Siliguri, and Assam, where several Hindutva extremist groups have organized protest programs. In Assam, the organization “Bengali Parishad, Assam” reportedly staged protests at more than 50 locations. Effigies were burned during these demonstrations as well.
Earlier, on Saturday night, protests by Hindutva extremist groups in front of the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi’s diplomatic area were reported in the media. In response, India’s Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described the reports as misleading in a statement. However, Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain rejected that statement.
Relevant diplomatic sources have said that the situation is being closely monitored.