Agartala, Dec 3: Diplomatic tensions between India and Bangladesh have intensified following a breach at the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission premises in Agartala. India has strongly condemned the incident, emphasizing that diplomatic and consular properties must remain inviolable under all circumstances.
The breach reportedly involved a group of extremists allegedly linked to a Hindutva organization, with accusations of desecrating Bangladesh’s national flag, igniting widespread condemnation and demands for swift justice.
“The breach of the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala is deeply regrettable. The government is taking steps to bolster security at the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi and other diplomatic missions across India,” stated the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
Protests have erupted across India, with demonstrators expressing solidarity with minorities in Bangladesh and demanding accountability. Authorities have launched an investigation and assured stringent action against those responsible.
The incident has also rekindled debates on the protection of diplomatic missions and the preservation of regional harmony.
Meanwhile, tensions were further fueled by a protest organized by the Hindu Sangharsh Samiti (HSS) in Agartala. The group condemned the arrest of Hindu spiritual leader Chinmoy Prabhu in Bangladesh on sedition charges, sparking demonstrations in Dhaka and Chattogram. HSS protesters accused the Bangladesh government of persecuting the Hindu community, adding to the strain in bilateral relations.
In response, the Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed deep concern over the violent attack on its Agartala mission. A statement issued on December 2 described how protesters forcefully entered the premises, vandalized property, and desecrated the national flag, all in the presence of local law enforcement.
“The evidence confirms that the protesters breached the premises by forcibly breaking the main gate in a premeditated manner. They vandalized the flagpole, desecrated the national flag, and damaged property inside the mission, while police officers present failed to intervene effectively,” the statement read.
“All members of the Assistant High Commission are left with a deep sense of insecurity” the statement said.
Bangladesh’s government condemned the incident as a violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961), which guarantees the inviolability of diplomatic missions. Furthermore, it cited a pattern of escalating violence, referencing a similar protest in Kolkata on November 28.
The Bangladesh government has urged India to take immediate steps to protect its diplomatic missions, conduct a thorough investigation, and ensure the safety of diplomats, staff, and their families.
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