A war of words between Bangladesh and neighbour India is threatening to spiral out of control following protests and counter-protests over the alleged ill-treatment of Hindu minorities in the country.
Diplomatic relations between the neighbours and once-close allies have been prickly since August, when former prime minister Sheikh Hasina fled Bangladesh after a public uprising (she is currently in India).
The latest trigger was the arrest of a Hindu monk last week, which set off protests in India by activists from Hindu organisations and politicians including members of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
On Monday, in an embarrassment for India, dozens of protesters forced their way into the consulate building of Bangladesh in the north-eastern city of Agartala and vandalised it.
Hours later, hundreds of students and activists protested in Dhaka against the storming of the consulate.
The Indian government has distanced itself from the attack, calling it “deeply regrettable”.
“Diplomatic and consular properties should not be targeted under any circumstances,” India’s foreign ministry said in a statement, adding that it was stepping up security for Bangladesh’s diplomatic buildings in the country. Police have arrested seven people in connection with the incident.
But Dhaka is livid.
The Bangladesh foreign ministry described the attack as “heinous” and called on Delhi to undertake a thorough investigation and “to prevent any further acts of violence against the diplomatic missions of Bangladesh”.
Student leaders and activists have protested in Dhaka against the attack on the Bangladesh consulate in Agartala [Getty Images]
“It is very unfortunate and it’s an unacceptable situation… Hindu extremists broke into the premises, pulled down the flag stand and desecrated the [Bangladeshi] flag. Our officers and other staff were extremely scared,” Touhid Hossain, foreign affairs adviser to the interim government in Bangladesh, told the BBC.
Bangladesh officials say the protests in India – some have happened near the countries’ border – have been triggered by disinformation and heated coverage of the issue by several Indian media outlets.
“Unfortunately, Indian media has gone berserk over the issue. They are trying to portray Bangladesh in the darkest possible light. I don’t know why they are doing it and how it will benefit either Bangladesh or India, I fail to understand,” Mr Hossain, the de facto foreign minister, said.
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