In response to the volatile situation in Bangladesh, India has decided to close its visa application centers indefinitely, as reported by India Today. Applicants have been informed via SMS about the closure and instructed to collect their passports on the next working day. The notice attributed the closure to the unstable situation in Bangladesh, without specifying a reopening date.
The closure follows months of escalating protests in Bangladesh, initially sparked by demands for the removal of quotas for independence fighters’ families in government jobs. These demonstrations evolved into broader anti-government protests, culminating in the resignation of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 4th and her subsequent flight to India.
In a proactive measure, the Indian High Commission in Dhaka initiated the evacuation of non-essential staff and families on August 7th, utilizing commercial flights. Sources from the embassy confirmed that all diplomats will remain stationed at the High Commission, ensuring continued functionality.
India maintains a presence in Bangladesh beyond the High Commission in Dhaka, with assistant high commissions or consulates in Chittagong, Rajshahi, Khulna, and Sylhet.
India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar addressed the Parliament on August 6th, confirming that India has been in constant communication with authorities in Dhaka and the Indian community in Bangladesh. He acknowledged the ongoing violence throughout July and emphasized India’s repeated calls for restraint and dialogue to de-escalate the situation. Jaishankar also reassured Parliament that India expects Bangladesh to provide the necessary security protection for its assistant consulates in the aforementioned cities.
The turmoil in Bangladesh traces back to June, when nationwide protests erupted over a special job quota bill that reserved positions for families of veterans who participated in the 1971 liberation war. These protests intensified and turned violent last month. Amidst this volatile backdrop, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, known for his work with impoverished communities and vocal criticism of the deposed Sheikh Hasina, has been appointed to lead Bangladesh’s interim government.
