Bangladesh says its flag burnt in Kolkata during protest over Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das arrest

Bangladesh has strongly condemned the violent protest outside its Deputy High Commission in Kolkata, India, during which the Bangladeshi national flag was reportedly set on fire, along with an effigy of interim government chief Muhammad Yunus.

The incident occurred on Thursday during a rally organised by the Bongio Hindu Jagaran Manch, a Hindu group protesting alleged attacks on Hindus and the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das in Bangladesh.

In a statement issued on Friday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh expressed “deep concern” over the incident and urged New Delhi to ensure the safety of all its diplomatic missions and personnel in India.

The protesters reportedly broke through police barricades, reached the commission’s boundary, and carried out acts that Dhaka described as “deplorable.”

The protest was triggered by the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das, a former member of the International Society of Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in Bangladesh, on sedition charges.

Das was denied bail earlier this week, sparking demonstrations by members of the Hindu community in various parts of Bangladesh, including Dhaka and Chattogram.

Bangladesh called upon the Indian government to take immediate measures to prevent such incidents in the future and to ensure the safety and security of its diplomatic staff.

The foreign ministry’s statement emphasised the “sanctity of diplomatic premises” and underscored the need for swift action to uphold peaceful bilateral relations.

“Although the situation seems to be under control at the moment, there is a prevailing sense of insecurity among the members of the Deputy High Commission,” the statement noted.

Meanwhile, India expressed its concerns over the treatment of Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, addressing Parliament on Friday, urged the Bangladeshi government to ensure the protection of minority communities and their places of worship, highlighting a “surge of extremist rhetoric and incidents of violence.”

Hindu groups in Bangladesh have long reported atrocities against their community, which have intensified in recent months. Tensions have risen since the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August, with continued reports of violence even under the interim government led by Yunus.