Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived Dhaka for a two-day official visit on 26 March, 2021. Bangladesh hoped that Modi’s participation in the celebrations of the country’s Golden Jubilee and participation in birth centenary of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, also known as the founder of Bangladesh, would be memorable. However, the visit led to a vehement protest across the country on his arrival to Dhaka. At least twelve people have been killed and many wounded as security forces opened fire to quell protests in different parts of the country.[1] Modi being a staunch follower of RSS ideology his presence resultantly in Dhaka sparked the protest and violence across Bangladesh is a sheer embarrassment in diplomatic ties of both countries. The womens’ rights activist of Bangladesh, Shireen Huq, asserts that “After the BJP came to power in India in 2014, the anti-India sentiments turned into more of an anti-Modi feeling in Bangladesh”.[2]
Critics in Bangladesh and elsewhere have held Modi responsible for provocations of the masses on the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh. His exclusionary and Hindu nationalist mindset of escalating religious polarization in India and unfair policies against minorities, especially, Muslim community living in India triggered demonstrations in Muslim-majority Bangladesh and urged Modi not to visit Bangladesh. The demonstrators also castigated Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for inviting him.[3]
