New Delhi: A torchlight march organised by the newly formed Bangladesh Azad Party (BAP) in Dhaka has drawn attention amid concerns over increasing anti-India mobilisation by Islamist groups in Bangladesh. The demonstration, held in the Gulshan area of the capital, was aimed at protesting what organisers described as India’s handling of undocumented migrants and border management issues.
Members of the BAP, along with supporters from other Islamist organisations, marched towards the Indian High Commission before being stopped by Bangladeshi police at the Gulshan-1 circle. After being prevented from proceeding further, the demonstrators staged a sit-in protest at the location.
During the protest, participants burned an effigy of Indian Home Minister Amit Shah, expressing opposition to India’s policies regarding illegal immigration and deportation.
According to intelligence assessments cited in the report, the Bangladesh Azad Party is believed to have links with Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh and may represent an effort to broaden the reach of Islamist politics beyond the organisation’s traditional support base. Officials reportedly view the platform as part of a larger strategy to mobilise public opinion around issues involving India and border-related disputes.
The protest has also raised concerns regarding the security of the Indian diplomatic mission in Dhaka. Authorities in Bangladesh intervened before demonstrators could approach the High Commission, preventing the situation from escalating further.
Observers note that India and Bangladesh continue to manage several sensitive issues, including migration, border security, trade, water-sharing arrangements and minority rights. Demonstrations centred on these matters have the potential to complicate diplomatic engagement between the two neighbours.
The emergence of the Bangladesh Azad Party comes amid shifting political dynamics in Bangladesh and renewed activity by Islamist groups seeking to expand their influence. Analysts believe such protests could become part of a broader campaign focused on nationalist and anti-India themes, particularly in regions close to the India-Bangladesh border.
While the immediate situation remained under control, the development has attracted attention from both security agencies and diplomatic observers monitoring political trends in the region.
