Bangladesh denounces the desecration of its national flag and the burning of an effigy in Kolkata

• The Foreign Ministry has expressed deep concern over the protest.
• The demonstration reportedly turned violent as protesters breached police barricades.

The Bangladesh government has strongly denounced the desecration of its national flag and the burning of an effigy of Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus during a violent protest in Kolkata.  

In a statement issued on Friday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged the Indian government to take immediate action to prevent such incidents in the future. The ministry expressed grave concern over the protest, which was held on Thursday afternoon by the Hindu group Bongio Hindu Jagran outside the Deputy High Commission of Bangladesh in Kolkata.  

The protest reportedly escalated into violence as demonstrators breached police barricades and reached the commission’s boundary. They set fire to the Bangladeshi national flag and an effigy of the chief adviser, sparking outrage in Dhaka.  

The ministry underscored Bangladesh’s condemnation of all forms of violence and called on India to ensure the safety and security of the Deputy High Commission in Kolkata, along with other diplomatic missions and personnel.  

“While the situation appears to be under control, there is a lingering sense of insecurity among members of the Deputy High Commission,” the statement noted.  

Bangladesh reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful diplomatic relations and called on India to promptly address the incident to uphold the sanctity of diplomatic premises and the dignity of both nations.