Foreign adviser Md Touhid Hossain has formally rejected the Indian press statement because he believes it significantly downplays the severity of the incident and misrepresents the reality of the security breach at the Bangladesh High Commission in Delhi.
The adviser was speaking to journalists at the Foreign Ministry offices on Sunday afternoon.
The adviser characterised the Indian press note as a gross oversimplification of a serious security breach and completely rejected its claims.
He went on to argue that the presentation of the event in the note is “unacceptable” because it attempts to downplay a situation that was far more complex and dangerous than portrayed.
Touhid Hossain highlighted the fact that the Bangladesh High Commissioner and his family, who live on the premises, felt threatened and panicked because the security presence was inadequate, consisting of only two guards who “stood silently” during the agitation.
“I don’t have any proof that they threatened to kill the Bangladeshi High Commissioner, but we have heard that such threats were made,” he added.
Allowed to breach
The adviser emphasised that the Bangladeshi mission is located deep within a diplomatic zone in Delhi, rather than at the entrance or in a public area.
“How was a group of 20 to 30 protesters from a Hindu extremist organisation able to penetrate so far into the area?” he asked.
Generally, when a protest group approaches a diplomatic mission, police are expected to stop them at a distance. If the group intends to submit documents, only two representatives are usually permitted to approach; however, in this instance, the entire group was allowed to reach the mission and issue threats, the adviser said.
“Normal security rules and regulations were not properly followed,” he added..
While India has characterised media reports of the incident published in Bangladesh as “misleading,” Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain maintained that the reports were largely accurate.
Earlier, on Saturday night, some Indian nationals formed a mob at the gate of Bangladesh Bhaban, the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi, shouting slogans. They also issued threats against Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to India, Riaz Hamidullah.
On Sunday, India’s Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement, which said, “There was no attempt to breach the fence or create a security situation at any time. 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. India is committed to ensure the safety of foreign Missions/Posts in its territory in accordance with the Vienna Convention.”
Dipu’s killing not linked to minority status
Regarding the recent killing of Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh, the adviser said a Bangladeshi citizen was brutally killed, but stressed that linking the incident to minority issues was unfounded.
“The person who was killed is a citizen of Bangladesh,” he said, adding that the government acted promptly after the incident and that several suspects have already been arrested.
He noted that such incidents are not unique to Bangladesh and occur across countries in the region. “It is the responsibility of every country to take appropriate action. Bangladesh is taking action, and others should also do the same,” the adviser added.
On Thursday night, Dipu Chandra Das was brutally beaten to death in Dubaliyapara area of the upazila over allegations of making derogatory remarks about religion.
Following the killing, an enraged mob took the victim’s body to the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway, hanged it from a tree, and set it on fire around 9pm.
On Saturday, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) arrested ten people in connection with the killing and arson attack on Dipu Chandra Das, with police arresting two others on Sunday.
