New Delhi: The visa operations at India’s mission in Chittagong were suspended amid the ongoing unrest in Bangladesh, while the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has flagged “misleading propaganda” related to an incident in New Delhi.
The Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) suspended operations from Sunday, citing security concerns following protests near the Assistant High Commission of India (AHCI) in Chittagong. The IVAC said visa services would remain halted until further notice, pending a review of the situation.
The decision comes after overnight protests in Chittagong’s Khulshi area, where students and local residents gathered outside the Indian mission to protest the killing of youth leader and outspoken critic of India, Sharif Osman Hadi. Police used force to disperse the crowd, leaving at least four people injured, including a police officer.
Security has since been intensified around the AHCI, according to the Bangladesh Police.
“Due to recent security incident at AHCI Chittagong, Indian visa operations at IVAC Chittagong will remain suspended from 21/12/2025 until further notice. The announcement for reopening the visa center will be made after reviewing the situation,” the notification said.
In New Delhi, the MEA asserted that there was no security breach by protesters who reached in front of the Bangladesh High Commission and raised slogans in protest against the lynching of a Hindu man in Mymensingh.
“We have noted misleading propaganda in sections of the Bangladesh media on the incident. The fact is that about 20-25 youth gathered in front of the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on 20 December and raised slogans in protest against the horrendous killing of Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh, while also calling for the protection of all minorities in Bangladesh,” the MEA said in a statement.
There was no attempt to breach the fence or create a security situation at any time, it said, adding that the police dispersed the group after a few minutes.
“India is committed to ensure the safety of foreign Missions/Posts in its territory in accordance with the Vienna Convention. India continues to keep a close watch on the evolving situation in Bangladesh. Our officials remain in touch with Bangladesh authorities and have conveyed to them our strong concerns at the attacks on minorities. We have also urged that the perpetrators of the barbaric killing of Das be brought to justice,” the MEA noted.
Incidentally, there have been major protests outside Indian missions in Bangladesh, including an attack on an Indian diplomatic post in Chittagong, prompting Dhaka to step up security.
Earlier this week, police used tear gas to disperse crowds attempting to assemble outside Indian diplomatic residences, including that of India’s deputy high commissioner, in Dhaka. Members of the National Citizen Party (NCP), an offshoot of Students Against Discrimination, joined the protests, raising anti-India slogans and demanding the extradition of Hadi’s alleged killers.
In Rajshahi, police blocked protesters from reaching the Indian mission, while social media videos showed stone-throwing incidents near the AHCI. In Shahbagh, demonstrators raised slogans such as ‘Delhi na Dhaka? Dhaka, Dhaka’ and called for surrounding the Indian embassy.
Bangladesh has seen a spate of violence in Dhaka and several other cities late Thursday after news emerged that Hadi had died in Singapore, where he was undergoing treatment after being shot on 12 December. Two major media houses, The Daily Star and Prothom Alo, were set on fire.
The resident of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding president of Bangladesh, at Dhanmondi 32 was attacked again. Protest marches were also reported near Indian diplomatic missions in Rajshahi and Chattogram.
Protesters allege that Hadi’s attackers fled to India after the shooting, even as Bangladesh authorities have not produced any conclusive evidence so far. As unrest spread, at least one communal incident was reported Thursday night, with the police confirming that Dipu Chandra Das was beaten to death by a mob in Mymensingh over alleged blasphemy.
On Sunday evening, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) called the incident outside its High Commission as “unjustifiable” and “highly regrettable”, adding that it cannot be accepted as “misleading propaganda”.
“The miscreants were allowed to carry out activities outside the perimeter of the High Commission, creating panic among personnel inside the complex. We have, however, noted the commitment of the Government of India to ensure safety and security of all diplomatic posts in India,” it said in a statement.
As for lynching of the Hindu man, the MoFA said that it rejects the attempts of Indian authorities to depict “an isolated attack” as an attack on minorities.
Later, the Bangladesh Police said there was no specific information about the whereabouts of Hadi’s killer, adding that they had not received “any reliable information” that he has left the country.
Regarding a possible political involvement in the attack, Bangladesh Additional IG Rafiqul Islam said no concrete evidence has yet emerged. “We have not received any specific information about the involvement of any political party in this murder. However, efforts are underway to gather accurate data,” he said.
This is an updated version of the article with Bangladesh MoFA statement
(Edited by Tony Rai)
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