'Misleading propaganda': India addresses reports of protest outside Bangladesh mission in Delhi

It follows media reports that several people arrived in vehicles on Saturday evening and briefly shouted slogans outside the mission

India’s foreign ministry has rejected “misleading propaganda” in media reports about a protest outside the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Indian foreign ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal said a small group of around 20 to 25 people gathered outside the mission on Dec 20 to protest the killing of Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh and to call for the protection of minorities in Bangladesh.

“There was no attempt to breach the fence or create a security situation at any time,” Jaiswal said, adding that police officers stationed at the spot dispersed the group after a few minutes and that video footage of the incident was publicly available.

The statement followed media reports, citing Bangladesh High Commission officials, that several people arrived in vehicles on Saturday evening and briefly shouted slogans at the mission’s gate before leaving.

“They were saying things in a mix of Bangla and Hindi -- that Hindus must be protected and ‘catch the high commissioner’. Later they came to the main gate and shouted for a while. Then they left. That’s all I know,” Bangladesh High Commission's Press Minister Md Faisal Mahmud told reporters.

India’s foreign ministry said it remained committed to ensuring the safety of foreign diplomatic missions in line with its obligations under the Vienna Convention.

Jaiswal said India was closely monitoring developments in Bangladesh and remained in contact with Bangladeshi authorities. He said New Delhi had conveyed “strong concerns” over attacks on minorities and urged that those responsible for the killing of Dipu Chandra Das be brought to justice.