No breach at Delhi mission, says MEA; Dhaka counters

India on Sunday rejected what it termed “misleading propaganda” in sections of the Bangladesh media over a small demonstration outside the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi, asserting that there was no breach of security and no threat to the mission at any point.

Responding to media queries, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said around 20-25 youths had briefly gathered outside the High Commission on December 20 to protest the killing of Dipu Chandra Das in Bangladesh’s Mymensingh district and to demand protection for minorities in the neighbouring country.

“The fact is that about 20-25 youths gathered in front of the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on December 20 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,” Jaiswal said.

He clarified that there was no attempt by the protesters to breach the perimeter or create any security situation. “The police stationed at the spot dispersed the group after a few minutes. Visual evidence of these events is available publicly for all to see,” he said.

The spokesperson underlined that India remained committed to ensuring the safety and security of foreign missions and diplomatic personnel on its soil. “India is committed to ensuring the safety of foreign missions/posts in its territory in accordance with the Vienna Convention,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Police have stepped up security outside the Bangladesh High Commission in the national capital amid continuing political and social turmoil in the neighbouring country. Police sources told The Tribune that additional personnel had been deployed as a precautionary measure to prevent any untoward incident.

The clarification from New Delhi comes against the backdrop of heightened tensions following reports of violence against minorities in Bangladesh, which have triggered protests and sharp reactions, both domestically and internationally.