NEW DELHI — The 4,096-kilometer India-Bangladesh border has been placed under a high-security alert this week as political instability in Dhaka threatens to spill over into India’s northeastern states. Following a wave of riots, arson, and diplomatic face-offs, the Border Security Force (BSF) has intensified surveillance to thwart potential infiltration and cross-border spillover.
The crisis, which began following the death of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi on December 18, has morphed into a broader anti-India movement. In recent days, mobs have targeted Indian diplomatic missions in Dhaka, Rajshahi, and Chittagong, forcing a temporary suspension of Indian visa services across the country.
A Nation at a Crossroads
The catalyst for the current chaos was the assassination of Osman Hadi, a prominent face of the 2024 “July Revolution.” His death has triggered a surge in radical mobilization, with the Inqilab Mancho group threatening to topple the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus if “speedy justice” is not delivered.
Adding fuel to the fire, the brutal mob lynching of a Hindu factory worker, Dipu Chandra Das, in Mymensingh has sparked massive protests in Indian cities like Kolkata and New Delhi. In the capital, hundreds of protesters clashed with police near the Bangladesh High Commission, demanding protection for minorities across the border.
“Vigilance Without Paranoia”: India’s Response
India has adopted a “protective realism” stance. BSF Director General Daljit Singh Chawdhary has reached the frontlines in West Bengal to oversee “Ops Alert,” a specialized border management exercise.
“Surveillance and vigilance have been further strengthened, especially along unfenced stretches,” a senior BSF official stated. The Eastern Army Commander, Lt Gen R.C. Tiwari, also visited Tripura and Mizoram to review defensive readiness.
The Diplomatic Freeze
The tension is not just on the ground; it is in the halls of power.
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Visa Suspension: Bangladesh has indefinitely suspended visa services in New Delhi, Tripura, and Siliguri.
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Envoy Summoned: Dhaka summoned the Indian High Commissioner on Tuesday to protest “extremist” protests outside its missions in India.
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Anti-India Rhetoric: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma has warned of retaliation following provocative statements from some Bangladeshi political elements regarding India’s “Chicken’s Neck” (Siliguri Corridor).
Quick Facts: The December 2025 Crisis
| Event | Detail |
| Trigger | Death of Sharif Osman Hadi (Dec 18) |
| Security Status | BSF on “High Alert” across 5 Indian states |
| Diplomatic Status | Mutual suspension of visa services in several cities |
| Key Dates | General elections in Bangladesh scheduled for Feb 12, 2026 |
Expert Analysis: Why This Time is Different
By the Breaking News Today World Desk
Unlike the student-led uprising of 2024, the current unrest is defined by a growing vacuum of institutional power. The interim government’s struggle to contain mob rule has allowed fringe radical elements to dominate the narrative. For India, the worry isn’t just about the “India Out” sentiment; it’s about the potential collapse of security cooperation that has kept the Northeast stable for over a decade. New Delhi’s “wait and watch” mode is being tested as the strategic patience of both nations wears thin.
