In response to growing protests in Kolkata over attacks on Hindu minorities in Bangladesh, Bangladesh has called Shikder Mohammad Ashrafur Rahman, the Acting Deputy High Commissioner in Kolkata, back to Dhaka for urgent consultations. Rahman, who also serves as the Minister - Political Affairs, is expected to return to Kolkata by the middle of this month, after attending the foreign secretary-level talks scheduled between India and Bangladesh next week.

Protests, primarily led by political parties and religious groups, have been taking place outside the Bangladesh mission in Kolkata for the past week, condemning reported atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh. Additionally, the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala suspended its visa and consular services after a protest breached the mission premises, following the arrest of Hindu spiritual leader Chinmoy Krishna Das in Dhaka.

Tensions have been escalating, leading Bangladesh’s foreign ministry to summon the Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka to protest the vandalism at the Agartala mission. Relations between India and Bangladesh have been strained following political developments in Bangladesh, particularly after the ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her flight to India in August. The recent arrest of Das has intensified these tensions, with India raising concerns over the safety of minority communities in Bangladesh.