New Delhi, December 23: Tension prevailed near the heavily guarded Bangladesh High Commission on Tuesday as hundreds of activists from the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal staged a protest against the lynching of a Hindu man in Bangladesh, leading to clashes with police and disruption in the high-security zone.
Carrying saffron flags and chanting slogans, the protesters attempted to march towards the High Commission, breaking through multiple layers of barricades. Several barricades were damaged as police struggled to control the crowd amid heightened security arrangements.
Anticipating the demonstration, authorities had deployed a strong police and paramilitary presence in the area. Officials said nearly 1,500 police personnel were stationed, with seven layers of barricades erected to prevent protesters from approaching the diplomatic complex. Delhi Transport Corporation buses were also positioned strategically to block access routes.
Despite these measures, protesters surged forward, forcing police to push them back around 800 metres from the High Commission. Minor scuffles were reported as demonstrators pressed against the security cordon. Police repeatedly appealed to the crowd to maintain calm and avoid breaching restricted zones.
Placards condemning the Bangladesh government were raised, with slogans demanding justice for the victim. One banner read, “Each drop of Hindu blood must be accounted for.” The protest was triggered by the killing of 25-year-old Dipu Chandra Das, a garment factory worker who was allegedly lynched in Mymensingh’s Baluka area on December 18 over allegations of blasphemy.
According to reports, he was beaten by a mob, hanged from a tree and later set on fire.
Protesters accused Bangladeshi authorities of failing to protect religious minorities and urged the Indian government to take strong diplomatic steps to ensure the safety of Hindus in the neighbouring country. Several demonstrators said the agitation would continue if their demands were not addressed.
Chanting religious slogans and reciting the Hanuman Chalisa, the crowd reiterated demands for strict action against those responsible for the killing, compensation for the victim’s family and protection and rehabilitation for Hindu communities in Bangladesh. VHP leaders maintained that the protest was peaceful and conducted within the limits of official permissions.
