The gates of the Bangladesh High Commission in London became the site of a passionate demonstration on Saturday, December 27, 2025, as members of the Indian and Bangladeshi Hindu diaspora gathered to protest a surge in targeted violence against religious minorities.
Holding placards that read “Protect Hindus” and “Targeted, Terrorized, and Silenced,” the crowd demanded that Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus and the interim administration take immediate accountability for failing to protect vulnerable citizens.
The Spark: The Lynching of Dipu Chandra Das
The protest follows the gruesome killing of 27-year-old factory worker Dipu Chandra Das on December 18 in Bhaluka, Mymensingh.
- The Incident: Accused of “blasphemy” following a workplace dispute, Das was reportedly beaten by a mob of over 140 people, hanged from a tree, and his body was subsequently set on fire.
- Authorities’ Findings: On December 20, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) confirmed that the allegations of religious defamation were “unfounded” and likely the result of personal enmity. Twelve suspects have since been arrested.
Systemic Violence: Reports and Statistics
Protesters and rights groups highlighted that the killing of Das is part of a broader, systemic pattern of persecution.
| Metric | Statistics (August – December 2025) |
| Total Minority Incidents | 2,900+ (documented by independent sources) |
| Blasphemy-linked Incidents | 71 cases across 30+ districts (HRCBM Report) |
| Temple Attacks | 152+ documented incidents |
| Accused Demographics | 90% of blasphemy-accused are from the Hindu minority |
A Growing Crisis: A recent report by the Human Rights Congress for Bangladesh Minorities (HRCBM) documented that between June and December 2025, blasphemy allegations were used as a “deadly instrument of persecution” in districts including Rangpur, Khulna, and Sylhet, often resulting in collective punishment of entire Hindu neighborhoods.
India’s Reaction: “Unremitting Hostility”
In a strongly worded briefing on Friday, December 26, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that India is monitoring the “unremitting atrocities” with grave concern.
- The Stance: India rejected the narrative that these are isolated political clashes, asserting they are communal in nature.
- Diplomatic Strain: Tensions have spiked further following the death of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi on Dec 12, which some Bangladeshi factions have sought to link to India—a charge New Delhi has dismissed as a “false narrative.”
The Current Atmosphere: Unrest & Elections
The protests come at a critical time for Bangladesh, which is preparing for National Elections on February 12, 2026.
- Political Vacuum: The return of BNP’s Tarique Rahman after 17 years and the re-entry of Jamaat-e-Islami into mainstream politics have added layers of complexity to the security situation.
- London Protest Impact: Demonstrators in London emphasized that the international community must not “look away” while minorities are used as pawns in a volatile political transition.