Bangladesh High Commission in Delhi Suspends Consular, Visa Services Amid Security Concerns over Hindu Lynching

New Delhi:The Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on Monday announced that all consular and visa services have been temporarily suspended until further notice, citing unavoidable circumstances.

“Due to unavoidable circumstances, all consular and visa services from the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi are temporarily suspended until further notice. Any inconvenience caused is sincerely regretted,” the High Commission said in a notice.

The decision follows India’s suspension of visa operations at the Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) in Chittagong after a security incident near the facility.

“Due to a recent security incident at AHCI Chittagong, Indian visa operations at IVAC Chittagong will remain suspended from December 21, 2025, until further notice,” IVAC said in a statement. It added that the resumption of services would depend on a comprehensive assessment of the local security environment.

The suspension comes amid reports of unrest and security concerns near diplomatic missions in Bangladesh last week.

Meanwhile, India on Sunday dismissed what it described as “misleading propaganda” in sections of the Bangladeshi media regarding a brief protest held outside the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi. The demonstration was organised to condemn the “horrendous killing” of a Hindu youth in Bangladesh.

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that around 20–25 people gathered outside the High Commission on December 20 to protest the killing of Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh and to demand protection for minorities in Bangladesh.

“There was no attempt to breach the fence or create any security situation. The police stationed at the spot dispersed the group after a few minutes. Visual evidence of these events is publicly available,” Jaiswal said, reiterating that India remains committed to ensuring the safety of foreign missions in accordance with the Vienna Convention.

He added that India continues to closely monitor the situation in Bangladesh and has conveyed its strong concerns to Bangladeshi authorities over attacks on minorities. “We have urged that the perpetrators of the barbaric killing of Das be brought to justice,” he said.

Dipu Chandra Das was allegedly beaten to death by a mob over accusations of blasphemy on December 18, after which his body was set on fire. The incident has sparked widespread outrage and international concern.

Bangladesh’s Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has arrested seven suspects in connection with the case, while police have taken three others into custody.