Visa and consular services at the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi have been temporarily suspended until further notice, the Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Sunday.
A notice displayed at the High Commission stated that “due to unavoidable circumstances, all consular services and visa issuance at the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi are temporarily suspended until further notice.”
The decision follows a protest on Saturday night by around 20–25 members of the Akhand Hindu Rashtra Sena outside the mission. The protesters reportedly chanted slogans against Bangladesh and issued threats against Bangladesh High Commissioner to India, M Riaz Hamidullah, before dispersing after about 20 minutes.
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Responding to the incident, Bangladesh’s Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain said the mission is located in a high-security diplomatic enclave, making the protest unexpected. He added that the High Commissioner’s family has since felt threatened, prompting additional security measures.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs said the protest was held against the killing of Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh and involved calls for the protection of minorities in Bangladesh. The ministry stated there was no breach of security and that Delhi Police dispersed the group within minutes.
Separately, the Indian visa application centre in Chattogram has also suspended operations, citing security concerns at the Indian Assistant High Commission.
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