In December 2025, a series of protests have been taking place in Assam and other parts of India in response to violent incidents in Bangladesh that affected minority communities. The immediate trigger was the mob lynching of a Hindu man named Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh district of Bangladesh on 18 December. Das was beaten, hanged from a tree, and set on fire by a mob following allegations of insulting religious sentiments. This killing drew widespread condemnation and unrest across borders.
In Assam, demonstrations started with local organisations, student unions, and political groups speaking out against what they described as ongoing attacks and persecution of minority communities in Bangladesh. Protests have been reported in Barak Valley, Silchar, Dima Hasao, Margherita and other towns, where protestors demanded protection for minorities and stronger diplomatic action. Reportedly, they carried placards, raised slogans such as, ‘Oppression of minorities in Bangladesh will not be tolerated’, ‘Bangladesh Government, beware’, and ‘Hindu Aikya Zindabad’. In some cases, they burnt effigies of Muhammad Yunus, symbolically trampled and burnt the Bangladeshi flag. [The Sentinel]
In Sribhumi and along the India–Bangladesh border, a large rally was held where organisations such as the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal led marches and publicly condemned the killing. Speakers urged accountability and expressed deep anger toward the reported violence. [India Today]
Protests also spread to New Delhi and intensified between 20 and 23 December 2025, as groups gathered outside the Bangladesh High Commission to denounce the killing of Dipu Das and demand justice for minorities in Bangladesh. Demonstrators initially raised slogans, carried placards, and called for diplomatic intervention. India’s Ministry of External Affairs clarified that the New Delhi protest involved “around 20–25 youths” and that the group was dispersed by police within a few minutes, adding that India was “committed to ensuring the safety of foreign missions,” rejecting reports that diplomats or the mission were under threat. [Reuters]
However, on 23 December, the situation escalated significantly. Hundreds of protesters, including members of VHP and Bajrang Dal, attempted to breach multiple layers of police barricades near the High Commission. Delhi Police resorted to baton charges to control the crowd, and approximately 40 protesters were detained. Authorities deployed heavy security, including paramilitary forces, to prevent escalation, however, demonstrators briefly advanced toward the mission before being stopped approximately 800 meters from the High Commission. Protesters shouted slogans such as “Yunus Sarkar Hosh Mein Aao (Yunus government, come to your senses),” and “Hindu Hatya Band Karo (Stop killing Hindus),” while some placards carried messages like “Hindu rakt ki ek ek boond ka hisaab chahiye (Each drop of blood of a Hindu must be accounted for).” [The Economic Times India]
In response, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma on 23 December, expressing ‘grave concern’ over ‘premeditated acts of violence and intimidation’ near the High Commission in New Delhi and the Bangladesh Visa Centre in Siliguri. Dhaka said the protests were well-organized and included vandalism, which put the safety of diplomats at risk and went against basic principles of respect, peace, and tolerance” and formally urged India to conduct a thorough investigation, prevent any recurrence, and fully safeguard its missions in accordance with international diplomatic obligations. [The Daily Star]
Following these events, consular and visa services at the Bangladesh missions in New Delhi, Agartala, and at a visa application centre in Kolkata were suspended, with the High Commission in New Delhi citing “unavoidable circumstances” as the reason. Mission officials expressed regret for any inconvenience caused, reinforcing the serious impact of the disturbances.
Assam has a history of protests related to violence against minorities in Bangladesh or concerns about cross-border issues.
In October 2021, over 10,000 people in Assam’s Barak Valley districts of Cachar, Karimganj, and Hailakandi gathered to protest communal violence against Hindus in Bangladesh. Led primarily by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), along with the Bajrang Dal, RSS-affiliated women’s wing, Bharat Sevasram Sangha, Sankar Math, and Gauriya Math. Demonstrators from these groups burned the Bangladeshi national flag, attempted to cross the international border in Karimganj, called for a boycott of Bangladeshi products, sent memoranda to Prime Minister Modi, and marched from district headquarters to administrative offices. They also accused Bangladesh of orchestrating attacks to drive out Hindus, chanted slogans demanding protection for persecuted Hindus, and staged dramatic gestures such as jumping into the Kushiyara River toward Bangladesh to highlight their urgency. [The Business Standard]
On 1 December 2024, thousands of protesters in Sṛibhumi, particularly from Ulukandi village and nearby border areas, participated in the “Bangladesh Chalo” march organized by Santani Aikya Manch and allied Hindu groups to protest attacks on minorities in Bangladesh. Carrying saffron flags and chanting messages condemning the “violent attacks, killings, lootings, and inhuman treatment” of religious minorities, they aimed to reach the Sutarkandi border. During the protest, participants also voiced opposition to the imprisonment of ISKCON monk Chinmoy Krishna Das, a prominent advocate for Hindu rights in Bangladesh. Tensions escalated when protesters attempted twice to break through police barricades but were held back by authorities. The event followed public comments by India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, who affirmed that the protection of minorities in Bangladesh was the responsibility of its government, and renewed calls in India for international scrutiny of the situation. [The Assam Tribune]
On 12 August 2024, hundreds of residents, including local activists and leaders like MLA Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha, marched through Karimganj to protest targeted violence against Hindus in Bangladesh, chanting slogans like “Hindu Aikya Zindabad (Long live Hindu unity)” and “Moulobadi Jammat Murdabad (Death to Islamist Jamaat),” condemning atrocities in Bangladesh. Demonstrators carried banners and slogans urging India’s government to act and demanded diplomatic intervention. [The Statesman]
In conclusion, these protests highlight recurring tensions over minority rights in Bangladesh and their impact on India–Bangladesh relations. The current wave of demonstrations is not an isolated phenomenon but rather a continuation of a long-standing practice. Just as previous protests were marked by violence and strong reactions, today’s demonstrations reflect a reactivation of those same tactics in response to renewed India-Bangladesh diplomatic tensions. The rise in diplomatic tensions and the halt of consular services highlight the need for open dialogue and regional cooperation to avoid further problems and protect vulnerable communities.
Verification Note: This report is based on publicly available news sources, official statements, and credible analyses as of December 2025. Information from unreliable, exaggerated, or unverified sources has been excluded to ensure accuracy and objectivity.
Afiya Ibnath Ayshi is a Security and Strategic Reporting Fellow at Bangladesh Defence Journal. She covers defence, foreign affairs, and humanitarian issues, focusing on how regional and global developments influence Bangladesh’s security and diplomacy. A graduate in English from the University of Dhaka, she brings a research-based and balanced approach to her work.