Chaos near Bangladesh High Commission as VHP, Bajrang Dal stage protests

Amidst heightened police presence, close to 500 protestors gathered a few hundred metres from the Bangladesh High Commission, near S Radhakrishnan Marg, holding saffron flags banners and placards. “From the streets of Delhi, a call to stop the massacre of Bangladeshi Hindus,” read a placard.

According to police officers present at the spot, the protests were led by the VHP. Along with leaders from the Bajrang Dal, other smaller outfits had also joined, police sources said.

While multiple police personnel were standing at the first layer of barricades, others were stationed near riot control vehicles a few metres away. Each layer of barricades saw heavy security.

Protesters managed to break through the first layer of barricades near the fortified High Commission. The protests went on for close to two hours as the police managed to contain the barrage of protestors.

Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal members walk over barricades during a protest near the Bangladesh High Commission over attacks on Hindus in the neighbouring country. (PTI Photo)

“The leaders of the organisations raised slogans and gave speeches around 11.30. The protestors dispersed after 1 pm,” said a police officer present at the spot. “They broke the first line of barricades… there were around 500 of them… no one sustained injuries,” he added.

A protestor said, “Every Hindu in any country must be treated with respect. We demand action from the Bangladeshi authorities.”

Bangladesh interim government head Muhammad Yunus has said seven people have been arrested for Das’ murder.

Security personnel stand around a poster of Chief Adviser of Bangladesh Muhammad Yunus during a protest (PTI Photo)

The protest added to the diplomatic tensions between the neighbouring nations. On Monday, the Bangladesh High Commission in Delhi “temporarily suspended” consular and visa services.

This move had come in the wake of unrest across Bangladesh following the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, a leader of the protests that led to the ouster of Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government in 2024.

Hadi, 32, was shot in the head by masked attackers last week while launching his election campaign in Dhaka and later died during treatment in a hospital in Singapore. Bangladesh Police had suggested that the suspects may have fled to India, where Hasina has been living in exile.