Police in Kolkata used batons to disperse Hindu nationalist demonstrators who gathered outside the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission on Tuesday. The protest was organized by several Hindutva-affiliated groups demanding justice for the killing of Dipu Chandra Das in Bangladesh’s Mymensingh district, who was beaten to death and his body set on fire following allegations of blasphemy.
According to local reports, the demonstration began around 11 a.m., with participants chanting slogans against alleged persecution of minorities in Bangladesh. Police had erected three layers of barricades about 200 meters from the mission. Tensions escalated when protesters broke through the first barrier and advanced toward the second, prompting police to use batons to push them back. The crowd was eventually contained roughly 100 meters from the diplomatic premises.
Authorities have not reported any serious injuries. The incident underscores the sensitivity of cross-border religious issues and the potential for domestic political groups in India to mobilize around events in neighboring Bangladesh.