DHAKA: Police in Bangladesh halted a protest march toward the Indian High Commission in Dhaka as thousands of demonstrators demanded the return of deposed former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and others who fled the country during last year’s mass uprising.
The protesters, rallying under the banner “July Oikya” (July Unity), gathered near Rampura Bridge and began marching toward the Gulshan diplomatic zone, according to local daily The Daily Star. As the procession moved toward Uttar Badda, security forces erected barricades to prevent the protesters from reaching the Indian mission.
Demonstrators managed to breach an initial barricade but were stopped again by a stronger police blockade further ahead. Unable to advance, they staged a sit-in on the road, chanting slogans through loudspeakers, including “Delhi na, Dhaka; Dhaka, Dhaka”, accusing India of interfering in Bangladesh’s internal affairs.
Participants included student leaders, representatives from madrassahs and colleges, former military officers, and members of civil society, organisers said. The protest centred on demands for the extradition of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who has been in India since fleeing Bangladesh amid widespread protests in August 2024.
The 78-year-old former premier has sought refuge in India since her ouster last year following a student-led uprising. The United Nations says up to 1,400 people were killed in crackdowns as Hasina tried to cling to power. A Bangladeshi court has handed ousted former prime minister Sheikh Hasina the death penalty for crimes against humanity, followed days later by a 21-year prison sentence on corruption charges, deepening her legal crisis.
The demonstration followed reported threats against Indian diplomats, prompting a sharp response from New Delhi. India’s Ministry of External Affairs said it had summoned Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to express “grave concern” over the deteriorating security situation and threats to its diplomatic staff.
The ‘July Oikya’ group took a protest march to Indian High Commission in Dhaka, demanding Sheikh Hasina back – Bangladeshi police stopped them a km before reaching the High Commission! Still, Indian media complain about security of diplomats in Dhaka! pic.twitter.com/APpwuMk7Ga
— Ashok Swain (@ashoswai) December 17, 2025
The Indian Visa Application Centre in Dhaka also suspended operations indefinitely from Wednesday afternoon, citing security risks.
The incident comes amid heightened political tensions in Bangladesh ahead of national elections scheduled for February next year, with relations between Dhaka and New Delhi under increasing strain.
