Bangladesh Azad Party & Other Islamist Groups in Dhaka Protests Near Indian High Commission | News18

[00:00:03]Welcome back. Now shifting focus to a mega exclusive that we are getting from Bangladesh. A Jamaat-e-Islami linked group in Dhaka held a torchlight protest near the Indian High Commission over border pushing claims. Now police stopped them at the Gulshan one where they held a sit-in and burned an effigy of Amit Shah raising security [music] concerns and straining India-Bangladesh diplomatic relations amid the ongoing migration and border issues.

[00:00:31]I'm joined by CNN-News18's Pallavi Ghosh for more details on this. Pallavi, take us through the details of this protest.

[00:00:37]What exactly was the reason against which this protest was being organized in Bangladesh?

[00:00:42]>> So we have to understand that Jamaat has actually not got too many seats in the Bangladesh elections a year back. But Sherine, they did very well in the border areas. And border of Bangladesh is very close to the border of India, particularly as far as Bengal is concerned. So they have floated this another outfit, as Manoj has getting those details for us. And essentially to stoke an anti-India sentiment because that's what their constituency is. And what they're hinging it on are comments which have been made by the Home Minister ahead of the Bengal elections also and even otherwise. That we are not going to allow the illegal immigrants cross over from Bangladesh. There have to be stringent steps will be taken because at the end of the day, the policies of the government are something which should be meant only for as far as Indians are concerned. This is what the Jamaat is trying to stoke that anti-India sentiment because they want to make their constituency stronger, as Manoj Gupta is pointing out. And also carrying on protest, trying to get their base stronger and especially since their presence is largely in the border areas.

[00:01:41]And burning effigies of our Home Minister and telling the people of Bangladesh that this is the man and this is the Home Minister whose steps are going to ensure that you are cut out from all the privileges. Mm. Also Pallavi, you know, when these protests are being conducted outside Indian High Commission, the staff of Indian High Commission, of course, they are in very much danger. So, what do we know about the safety protocols or the safety process that could in fact be pushed in by Indian government at this point?

[00:02:08]>> So, this protest occurred in which is a very upmarket affluent area and that is where most of diplomats stay, which is the Gulshan area. And that's also the hub of I would say the the back of Dhaka.

[00:02:19]So, the High Commission is not too far away. Of course, it's all very coordinated and coordinated off. It's high security and we've always been under the scanner as far as Bangladesh, especially during Muhammad Yunus' time is concerned. So, the protocol and over there is absolutely strict. But what is going to create a problem and an awkward situation is for the present regime type Tarique Rahman who Shein has made it very clear that he does want to improve ties with India. So, we've been walking both the ways. As Jai Shankar, external affairs minister, going there for the funeral of Begum Khaleda Zia, then also we are sending a representative and he took oath. These were very important feel-good confidence-building measures.

[00:02:56]Now, these kind of processions, if it had actually reached the High Commission, apart from the security problem, would have been a very testing moment as far as India-Bangladesh ties are concerned as Manoj Gupta is also pointing out.

[00:03:07]>> All right. Many thanks, Pallavi, for bringing us that perspective.