Putting People Before Politics in Bangladesh-India Tensions
The Conflict Explained
In late December 2025, a serious escalation in both internal unrest in Bangladesh and cross-border tensions with India has drawn widespread attention and concern. The immediate flashpoint occurred after the mob lynching of 27-year-old Hindu man Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh, Bangladesh on December 18, 2025, allegedly in connection with accusations of blasphemy. Das was beaten to death by a mob and his body subsequently burned, triggering outrage across both countries. 
The killing has sparked hundreds of protests in India, particularly near the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi. Demonstrators—including members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and allied groups—breached police barricades, clashed with security forces, and demanded protection for minorities, resulting in at least 40 detentions by police in Delhi during one demonstration. 
In response to these demonstrations, the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry formally summoned India’s High Commissioner, condemning the protests and acts of vandalism at the Bangladesh High Commission and at its visa centre in Siliguri on December 22, 2025. Dhaka emphasized the danger such events pose to diplomatic personnel and called on India to ensure the safety of its diplomatic missions and staff. 
These contentious events are not isolated. Inside Bangladesh, unrest has been broadening for weeks amid political transitions including the interim government’s leadership and forthcoming elections. Earlier violent incidents include widespread attacks on major media outlets in Dhaka, where mobs surrounded and vandalized the offices of The Daily Star and Prothom Alo, trapping roughly 25 journalists and staff on a smoke-filled roof before they were evacuated.  Such attacks have alarmed press freedom advocates and drawn condemnation from groups such as the Editors Guild of India, which has highlighted a “deadly escalation” in violent intimidation targeting independent media. 
The situation has also reportedly included arson attacks on Hindu families’ homes in the Chittagong area, with residents narrowly escaping violence—acts that have stirred deep fears among minority populations. 
These developments come against a backdrop of increasing mob violence and political instability in Bangladesh that predates these specific incidents but has intensified following recent leadership changes and political unrest. The interim government, led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, has sought to maintain ties with India and defuse diplomatic strains even as tensions continue. 
At Freemuslim Center for De-Radicalization & Extremism Prevention ( CDREP ) , we recognize that governmental and political conflicts inevitably spill over into the lives of ordinary people, often harming the most vulnerable and minority communities on both sides of the border. People should never be targeted, scapegoated, or caught in the crossfire of diplomatic or political disputes. The rising tensions underscore how quickly social friction can escalate into broader regional instability, jeopardizing lives, livelihoods, and trust between communities.
Freemuslim Viewpoint and Suggestions
Therefore, Freemuslim advocates the following approaches:
1. Countries should identify and work on common areas of cooperation—such as cultural exchange, regional stability mechanisms, and protection of minority rights—to bridge divides before they deepen.
2. Sustained dialogue between governments and civil society must be established to address grievances, prevent misinformation, and build mutual understanding that transcends political rhetoric.
3. Neutral third-party facilitation from an impartial country or international institution can help de-escalate tensions, ensure transparent investigations, and safeguard diplomatic relations without vested interests.
Moreover, both Bangladesh and India must guarantee that civilians are never used as leverage in these disputes. Regular people, journalists, and minority groups—regardless of faith or nationality—deserve safety, security, and the right to live free from violence or intimidation. Freemuslim’s Director, Moujtaba Akhwand, emphasizes that we are in an era of technological, economic, and global advancement. Diverse and inclusive societies are better positioned to achieve shared prosperity and peace. Small disputes left unaddressed can spiral into larger conflicts, wasting resources, human capital, and precious time that should be invested in growth and collaboration.
The current tensions between Bangladesh and India remind us that peace is proactive, not reactive—requiring commitment to dialogue, dignity, and the defense of human rights for all people.
