What Happened in Kolkata as Protests Erupt Over Murder of Hindu Man in Bangladesh?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The protests were triggered by the murder of Dipu Chandra Das in Bangladesh.
- Clashes occurred between police and protestors outside the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission.
- Over 20 individuals were injured during the unrest.
- Authorities heightened security measures in response to the protests.
- The incident reflects ongoing tensions regarding minority rights in India.
Kolkata, Dec 23 (NationPress) Tensions escalated in Kolkata as protests erupted over the murder of a Hindu man, Dipu Chandra Das, in Bangladesh. The unrest occurred on Tuesday when police clashed with members of the Hindu Jagran Manch outside the Deputy High Commission of Bangladesh, according to officials.
The demonstration outside the Deputy High Commission in the Beck Bagan area turned chaotic as police employed cane charges to disperse protesters who breached barricades in an attempt to reach the diplomatic office.
More than 20 individuals were injured, and over a dozen were taken into custody by law enforcement.
The protest resulted in significant traffic disruptions in the vicinity.
Authorities later managed to regain control of the situation.
Security measures around the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission were intensified, with additional police personnel deployed.
Recently, Dipu Chandra Das was reportedly beaten to death in Mymensingh, Bangladesh, with his body tied to a tree and set ablaze.
In the aftermath, protests against this heinous act have surged across India, including West Bengal.
A large crowd gathered for the march towards the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission, organized by various organizations within the Sangh Parivar, including the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), Hindu Jagran Manch, and Bangiya Hindu Jagaran.
Despite their efforts to march towards the Beck Bagan area, police halted the protesters before they could reach the commission.
Several barricades were erected as part of the security measures.
Authorities repeatedly declared the gathering outside the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission illegal.
Despite police requests to disperse, protesters insisted on continuing their demonstration until they could present a memorandum to the Deputy High Commissioner of Bangladesh.
The Beck Bagan area soon transformed into a conflict zone as protesters clashed with police, breaking barricades and attempting to breach the diplomatic office.
Police responded with cane charges to break up the agitated crowd.
Reports indicate that over 20 individuals were injured due to police batons. Many protesters were forcibly taken into police vans, with some even climbing onto the roofs of the vehicles to protest.
A spokesperson from Bangiya Hindu Jagaran expressed, "We gathered to submit a memorandum to the Deputy High Commissioner of Bangladesh. We came to protest, but the police used batons against us. Around 21 individuals have been injured and have been sent to various hospitals for treatment. Several others have been detained. In Bengal, Hindus feel they lack the right to protest against atrocities towards fellow Hindus."
As tensions rose in Beck Bagan, leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party also arrived at the scene.
Tamoghna Ghosh, the president of the North Kolkata BJP district, was present and claimed that the BJP workers were there to protest against the police's use of force and to express solidarity with Hindu organizations over the brutal attacks on Hindus and minorities in Bangladesh.