Kolkata witnessed renewed tension on Friday as members of Sanatani and Hindutva organisations staged protests at Sealdah station and attempted to march towards the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission to protest the killing of Dipu Chandra Das in neighbouring Bangladesh and alleged attacks on the Hindu minority there.
According to the police, protesters gathered in large numbers near Sealdah and later proceeded towards Beck Bagan, raising slogans against the interim government of Bangladesh, led by Mohammed Yunus. Security forces, however, stopped the procession at Beck Bagan, where barricades were erected to prevent the marchers from advancing towards the diplomatic office.
A heavy police deployment was made in anticipation of unrest. Meanwhile, 12 persons, who were arrested for vandalism on 23 December near the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission office at Beck Bagan, were released on bail today. A representative said that a Hindu organisation today submitted a memorandum to the office of the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission urging them to stop the tortures on Hindu.
Tension escalated when a section of protesters attempted to break through the barricades, prompting police intervention. Demonstrators were seen carrying placards and banners demanding justice for Dipu Das and calling for adequate protection for religious minorities in Bangladesh. As part of the protest, an effigy of Bangladesh’s interim chief Mohammed Yunus was also burnt.
The protesters accused the Bangladeshi authorities of failing to prevent violence against Hindu minorities and alleged vandalism of religious sites following the killing.
Amid rising tensions, the Greater Siliguri Hoteliers’ Welfare Association announced a decision to stop renting hotel rooms to Bangladeshi nationals. Citing national security concerns, the association said the move was in protest against growing anti-India rhetoric and threats directed at the northeast and North Bengal regions.
Meanwhile Swami Chidanand Saraswati Maharaj of Parmarth Niketan on Friday condemned the murder of 27-year-old Dipu Das in Bangladesh, calling it a “stain on humanity”. He warned that such violence brings shame to society and disrepute to Islam, while questioning the role of human rights defenders.