The Hindu Sangarsha Samiti on Monday vandalized the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala, with the Bangladesh national flag taken down and set on fire, in protest against the arrest of the Sommilito Sanatani Jagaran Jote’s spokesperson Chinmoy Krishna Das.
Videos from the incident show protesters tearing down the Bangladesh national flag and setting it ablaze.
Dhaka deeply resents the violent attack, the vandalization of the mission premises, and the desecration of the national flag.
The protest, organized by the Hindu Sangharsh Samiti, began with a demonstration in front of the High Commission office.
After the demonstration, a six-member delegation from the organization went inside the office to submit a memorandum.
During this time, some miscreants outside the office entered the premises and vandalized it, tearing down the national flag and setting fire to some signboards.
Hindu Sangharsh Samiti executive member BK Roy told BBC that while they were submitting the memorandum, they did not witness the events occurring outside.
New Delhi expressed deep regret over the breach of the Bangladesh mission's premises, emphasizing that diplomatic properties should never be targeted.
Indian Ministry of External Affairs announced measures to enhance security at Bangladesh's High Commission in New Delhi and other diplomatic posts across India.
On November 28, a similar protest organized by the Hindu group Bongio Hindu Jagran took place outside the Deputy High Commission of Bangladesh in Kolkata.
The demonstration turned violent as protesters broke through police barricades, reaching the commission's boundary.
During the unrest, the Bangladeshi national flag and an effigy of the chief adviser were set on fire.
Upon receiving news of the vandalism, top officials of the Tripura Police inspected the scene and spoke with High Commission officials.
In a related incident, protests were also held in Cooch Behar, where the Sanatani Hindu Manch burned an effigy of the Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus.
Additionally, a protest procession was held in Changrabandha near the Bangladesh border, with tight security in the area.
Protests continued at the Petrapole border in India, led by West Bengal opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari.
The rally highlighted the persecution of minorities in Bangladesh and announced plans for a long-term blockade at the border if the situation does not improve.
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (Iskcon) has been holding prayer meetings and kirtans at its Albert Road center in Kolkata, demanding the release of Chinmoy Krishna Das and expressing concern over the plight of religious minorities in Bangladesh.
Iskcon spokesperson Radharamn Das reported that Bangladesh had stopped 63 of their Brahmacharis from entering the country, despite having valid visas and documents.
Iskcon has organized processions and prayer meetings across West Bengal to protest the arrest of their monks in Bangladesh.
