City witnessed heightened tension on Tuesday as protests erupted outside the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Beck Bagan over the killing of Dipu Das in neighbouring Bangladesh. The agitation led to clashes between protesters and police, triggering traffic disruption and a brief spell of chaos in parts of central Kolkata. The protest was organised following allegations that Dipu Das was beaten to death recently in Mymensingh, Bangladesh.
The incident sparked outrage across West Bengal and several other parts of India. Responding to calls given by several Sangh Parivar-affiliated organisations — including the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and Hindu Jagaran Manch — a large number of demonstrators marched towards the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission. The protesters reached the Beck Bagan area in a procession but were stopped by police before they could approach the diplomatic premises. According to the demonstrators, the programme was meant to submit a memorandum to the Deputy High Commission, condemning the killing and demanding justice.
Tension escalated when police attempted to disperse the crowd, citing prohibitory orders and declaring that gatherings outside the Deputy High Commission were illegal. Protesters allegedly tried to break through police barricades, leading to scuffles. Police resorted to baton-charge to control the situation, during which several protesters were reportedly injured. Eyewitnesses said that many agitators were forcibly detained and dragged into prison vans. Some protesters were also seen climbing onto the roofs of the police vehicles, further intensifying the confrontation.
The situation prompted the arrival of BJP leaders at the spot, including North Kolkata district BJP president Tamoghna Ghosh, who claimed they had reached the area to protest against police action and to stand in solidarity with the Hindu organisations. Traffic movement in parts of Park Circus was affected due to the protest. While vehicles were allowed to move towards the Deputy High Commission from Park Circus, the road leading from the mission towards Park Circus crossing was temporarily closed. Representatives of Hindutva organisations attempted to push past police barricades, triggering heated arguments, physical altercations and jostling.
Amid the chaos, Hindutva leader Lalbaba sustained injuries and collapsed on the ground. Subsequently, police began detaining several leaders of the Hindutva organisations. During the crackdown, protesters raised allegations against the police, accusing them of acting “not like state police but like Bangladeshi police”. Some protesters alleged that police used force against sadhus and women demonstrators. An injured sadhu alleged that the manner in which police resorted to baton-charge reflected “brutality and barbarism”.
Other protesters claimed that the incident amounted to “atrocities on Sanatani saints in Kolkata” and warned of continued protests against the alleged police excesses. As the agitation continued, police detained several protesters and escorted them to prison vans. In protest against the detentions, a section of the demonstrators staged a sit-in in front of police vehicles, further adding to the tension in the area.
Security around the deputy High Commission was significantly tightened with a three-tier security arrangement and deployment of additional forces. Authorities in the city remained on alert as the protests continued to draw strong reactions.