Shashi Tharoor Condemns Lynching in Bangladesh, Says Yunus Govt Must Act Beyond Expressions of Regret

Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has strongly condemned the lynching of a Hindu man in Bangladesh, calling the incident “outrageous” and urging the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus to take firm action to curb street violence.

Referring to the killing of Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh, allegedly over blasphemy accusations, Tharoor said such violence was unjustifiable and reflected a failure of law and order. He stressed that governments have an obligation to ensure public safety and cannot rely solely on statements of regret after such incidents.

“They have to take action because controlling violence on the streets is their obligation as a government. People need to feel safe again,” Tharoor said.

Comparison with protests in India

Tharoor also drew a comparison with protests held across India in response to the incident, arguing that demonstrations can take place without violence if handled responsibly.

“I don’t think anyone has felt that these protests are getting out of hand. There has been no violence, no lynching, and certainly any attempted violence should be clamped down upon by the police,” he said, suggesting that Bangladesh authorities should follow a similar approach.

Muhammad Yunus had earlier condemned the killing and announced that arrests had been made, but Tharoor said this alone was insufficient without visible measures to restore calm and deter future violence.

Diplomatic tensions rise

The incident has further strained ties between India and Bangladesh. Protests were reported in several Indian cities, including New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Jammu, Agartala and Bhopal. Following a protest near the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi, Bangladesh suspended visa services in three Indian cities. Both countries also summoned each other’s diplomatic envoys.

Tharoor defends India hosting Sheikh Hasina

Tharoor also defended India’s decision to allow former Bangladeshi prime minister Sheikh Hasina to remain in India after she was removed from office in August 2024. He said India acted in a humanitarian spirit by offering refuge to a long-time ally.

“We are being hospitable to a good friend while the government examines all legal aspects,” Tharoor said, adding that Hasina should be allowed to stay safely in India.

His remarks come amid renewed focus on the India–Bangladesh extradition treaty, signed in 2013 and amended in 2016, which requires offences to be punishable in both countries. Bangladesh has sought Hasina’s extradition after a tribunal court handed her a death sentence over alleged crimes against humanity linked to a 2024 student crackdown, a request India is yet to act upon.