Dhaka rejects Indian press note on New Delhi protest: Foreign adviser

Bangladesh today (21 December) categorically rejected an Indian press note on the reported demonstration near its High Commission in New Delhi, questioning how protesters accessed a highly secured diplomatic zone and citing serious security lapses.

"Regarding the Indian press note, we completely reject it, entirely reject it. The issue has been presented as if it were very simple, whereas in reality it is not. Our mission is located deep inside the diplomatic area, not at the periphery," Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain told reporters at the foreign ministry this afternoon. 

He said that the issue had been oversimplified in the Indian press note, while the Bangladesh Mission in New Delhi is located deep inside a sensitised and secured diplomatic area.

He questioned how a group of 25 to 30 people, described as belonging to a Hindu extremist organisation, could reach such a sensitive zone, saying that under normal circumstances this should not have been possible without being allowed access.

"They [India] say it may have been 20-25 people, but that is not the point. The question is how a group of 25 or 30 people from a Hindu extremist organisation could come so far into a sanitised, secured area. Under normal circumstances, they should not have been able to reach there at all."

The foreign adviser said the protesters did not merely raise slogans over the killing of a Hindu citizen in Bangladesh but made other statements as well, adding that reports published in Bangladeshi newspapers were largely accurate and not misleading, as claimed.

Responding to a question he said while there was no concrete proof of death threats to Bangladesh envoy though it was heard that threats were made. 

"I do not have concrete proof that death threats were issued, but we have also heard that death threats were made. That may have been said by someone [among the protesters]. But my point is, why were they able to come this far in the first place, and why were they able to issue threats there?" he said. 

Referring to standard international practice, Touhid said protest groups are usually required to inform authorities in advance and are stopped at a distance by police, sometimes allowing only one or two representatives to submit documents. 

"What happened here, we do not accept," Touhid said.

Touhid said Bangladesh believes normal security rules and protocols were not properly followed in this case. 

He said Bangladesh has alerted the Indian authorities regarding the security of its missions in India and expressed hope that such an environment would not be allowed to recur.

Asked about the format of Dhaka's protest, he said both sides remain in contact through diplomatic channels and convey their positions accordingly, adding that Bangladesh was compelled to respond openly following the Indian press note.

On the safety of Bangladeshi diplomats, he said Dhaka still trusts India to take appropriate security measures, but would consider scaling back its presence if the situation deteriorates.

"This is not just about slogans," the foreign adviser said, noting that the high commissioner and his family reside at the mission premises and felt threatened due to inadequate security, with only two guards present at the time.

He said ensuring adequate protection of diplomatic missions and personnel is the responsibility of the host country, adding that Bangladesh is taking necessary steps and the remarks reflect the position of the Government of Bangladesh.

He said such incidents occur across the region and every country has the responsibility to take appropriate measures, adding that Bangladesh was doing so and others should act similarly.

At around 9pm local time yesterday, a group of radical Hindu activists staged a protest in front of the main gate of Bangladesh House in Delhi under the banner of Akhand Hindu Rashtra Sena.