Massive protest by Sanatani Hindus at zero point of  India–Bangla border in Kailashahar

In an unprecedented move, Sanatani Hindu citizens went directly to the India–Bangladesh international border and staged a protest in front of Bangladeshi border guards. During the protest, demonstrators beat a photograph of Muhammad Yunus with shoes in front of the Bangladeshi border guards. Later, bamboo barricades were erected near the international border and import–export activities were suspended indefinitely.

The incident took place in Kailashahar, the district headquarters of Unakoti district. The protest was organized in response to the killing of Hindus in Bangladesh. On Wednesday afternoon, a historic protest march and rally were held in Kailashahar town.

Under the initiative and management of the Kailashahar Hindu Aaikya Manch, the protest march began from the Paiturbazar area and proceeded through various city roads before culminating in a public rally at the R.K.I. School ground. Leading the march were Hindu Oikya Manch President and senior advocate of Unakoti district Sandip Debroy, senior Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader of North Tripura district Kanti Nath, Chandipur Panchayat Samiti Vice-Chairman Binoy Singh, social worker Himangshu Das, Dulal Das, Ajay Deb and many others.

The protesters entered the R.K.I. ground and moved towards the barbed-wire fencing at the India–Bangladesh international border, where they staged a protest while facing the Bangladeshi border guards. They beat a photograph of Muhammad Yunus with shoes, threw it on the ground, and kicked it in protest. After demonstrating near the border fencing for about half an hour, they returned to the R.K.I. ground where the rally began.

Addressing the rally, Sandip Debroy sharply criticized the present government of Bangladesh and launched a strong attack on Muhammad Yunus. He stated that the brutal killing of Hindu citizen Dipu Das—who was allegedly beaten and burned alive in front of the police under the patronage of the Bangladesh government—was extremely condemnable. He warned that if Yunus believed that India would remain silent after the repeated killings of Hindus in Bangladesh, he was gravely mistaken. He further stated that today’s demonstration at the international border was only the beginning, and that larger movements would be launched in the future. He also indicated that violent protests might be undertaken if necessary.

The Hindu Aaikya Manch claimed that nearly 7,000 Sanatani Hindu citizens participated in the protest march and rally on Wednesday, 24 December. Notably, around a hundred Muslim citizens were also present at the rally in solidarity.

Speaking at the rally, senior VHP leader Kanti Nath presented fact-based criticisms of the Bangladesh government and urged the on-duty BSF personnel to ensure that no fundamentalist extremists from Bangladesh could illegally cross into India. During his speech, Bangladeshi border guards were also present on duty across the border. Nath challenged the Bangladeshi guards, stating that if Hindus in Bangladesh were attacked, Sanatani Hindus in India would not remain silent and would respond forcefully if required. He questioned where the remaining Hindus had gone, noting that Hindus constituted 28% of Bangladesh’s population before independence but now account for less than 5%. He also said that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi would take appropriate action at the right time and warned that if India’s patience ran out, it would take only five minutes for Bangladesh to be wiped off the world map.

After the rally concluded, members of the Hindu Aaikya Manch went to the Indian immigration center near the international border and staged a protest at the Manu Land Customs premises. They later erected bamboo barricades at the import–export point and informed the on-duty BSF personnel that import–export activities would remain suspended indefinitely starting 25 December.

A five-member delegation of the Hindu Oikya Manch also met the Assistant Commandant of the 199th Battalion of the BSF and officially informed him about the indefinite suspension of import–export activities. Kanti Nath told reporters that it was unacceptable for Bangladesh to indulge in anti-India activities and slogans while trade continued. He said that India does not import hilsa fish from Bangladesh free of cost but pays heavily for it, and yet faces abusive remarks—something the Sanatani Hindu community would not tolerate. Hence, import–export activities had been suspended indefinitely by erecting bamboo barricades.

In view of the protest march and rally, additional security forces were deployed throughout Kailashahar subdivision. Along with the BSF, central paramilitary forces, state police, and TSR personnel were stationed, especially near the international border.

Separately, on Wednesday at 11 a.m., in protest against the killing of Hindus in Bangladesh, the ABVP unit of Ramakrishna Mahavidyalaya, Kailashahar, organized a protest march by college students. The march moved through the city roads and culminated at Netaji Corner, where an effigy of Muhammad Yunus was burned. A record number of college students participated in the protest.