Indian tourist beaten, Kolkata-bound bus 'attacked': Are Indians safe in Bangladesh?

A 21-year-old Indian tourist Sayan Ghosh was allegedly attacked by a violent mob for both his Indian identity and his Hindu faith in Dhaka. He was reportedly assaulted with a knife and stones and was denied medical treatment in some private hospitals. A bus on the way to Kolkata was also attacked in Bangladesh’s Brahmanbaria

Hundreds of Bangladeshi Hindus have been demonstrating on the streets of Dhaka, in protest against the violence against the Hindu minority community after the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. File photo. AFP

An Indian tourist Sayan Ghosh returned home from Bangladesh, visibly injured and traumatised after his trip to the neighbouring country turned into his worst nightmare.

The 21-year-old Ghosh recounted being attacked by a violent mob in Dhaka, alleging that he was targeted for both his Indian identity and his Hindu faith, according to a report by News18.

This distressing incident is the latest in a series of unsettling events in Bangladesh, where rising tensions have led to the arrest of Hindu monks, attacks on religious minorities, and vandalisation of temples.

‘Snatched mobile & wallet at knife-point’

Ghosh, who belongs to West Bengal’s Belgharia, an area on the northern fringes of Kolkata, travelled to Dhaka on November 23 to visit a friend and his family who welcomed him as one of their own.

However, his trip took a violent turn on November 26, the day he was set to return to India.

According to a News18 report, Ghosh said he went out with his friend for a visit to a nearby market when they were confronted by a group of men who questioned him about his nationality and religion.

“At least 5-6 boys from the Muslim community came and asked me where I was from and what I was doing here. The moment they heard I was Indian and a Hindu they started thrashing me,” Ghosh said.

“The mob started kicking and punching me and even attacked my friend who tried to save me,” Ghosh told PTI. “They even snatched my mobile phone and wallet at knife-point. No bystander came to our rescue. There was no policeman nearby."

Ghosh claimed that the mob attacked him with a knife and pelted stones at him, which resulted in serious injuries to his face and head.

“They kept saying, ‘Why did an Indian Hindu come to our country?’ No one stepped in to help us,” he recalled.

No FIR, no medical treatment

After the attack, Sayan Ghosh approached Shyampur police station to file an FIR, but he claimed the local authorities refused to take action. Instead, they repeatedly questioned him about his reasons for visiting Bangladesh.

“I called Bangladesh’s emergency number, but they started accusing me instead. No police station registered my complaint. After I showed them my passport and visa, and after speaking to my friend and his family members, they were satisfied and asked me to get my wounds treated,” he told PTI.

Ghosh’s troubles continued as he was denied admission and medical treatment at two private hospitals.

“When I called the ambulance number and police, they were asking me about my identity and all,” he said.

After four hours of struggle, he finally received first aid at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital.

“I had several stitches done on my forehead and head and even had an injury in my mouth,” Ghosh recounted, still reeling from the horror of the incident.

Ghosh’s ordeal didn’t end there as he and his host continued to receive threats.

“People, including government workers, some local lawmakers and other people of the area then came to my friend’s home and harassed him and his parents for inviting him over," 

He further added that his friend’s family was warned that their lives could be in danger for inviting over an Indian citizen.

Rising tensions have led to the arrest of Hindu monks, attacks on religious minorities, and vandalisation of temples in Bangladesh. File image/Reuters

Eventually, in the early hours of November 29, Ghosh’s friend escorted him to the railway station. Ghosh boarded a train to India and returned home visibly shaken.

Sukanto Ghosh, Sayan’s father, told News18, “Whatever happened there is unimaginable. He is in a state of shock. We will take him to the doctor and also lodge a complaint with  the high commission."

“He is traumatised," his father added.

Ghosh has expressed his desire to file a complaint with the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata.

“I could not imagine such a nightmarish situation awaiting me in a neighbouring country where people speak the same language as us and share similar food habits,” he recalled in a PTI report.

Bus with Indian passengers ‘attacked’

This recent attack on Indians in Bangladesh is not an isolated incident. Earlier, a bus travelling from Agartala to Kolkata reportedly came under attack after it was involved in an accident in Bangladesh.

On Saturday, a passenger bus carrying 28 people—17 Indians and 11 Bangladeshi nationals—faced a harrowing ordeal shortly after departing from Tripura’s Agartala.

Tripura’s Transport Minister, Sushanta Chowdhury, described the incident in a Facebook post. “A bus from Tripura to Kolkata came under an attack on the Bishwa Road in Brahmanbaria of Bangladesh. The bus was maintaining its lane when a goods-laden truck intentionally hit it. Right at that time, an autorickshaw came in front of the bus, leading to a collision,” he wrote.

Chowdhury alleged that following the accident, a group of people began threatening the passengers and shouting anti-Indian slogans. “They threatened the Indian passengers with dire consequences,” he said.

Expressing strong disapproval, Chowdhury condemned the incident. “I condemn this attack in the strongest terms and call upon the administration in Bangladesh to take immediate measures and ensure safety and security of Indian nationals travelling there,” he said.

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha also issued a stern warning to Bangladesh, urging them to address the situation or face repercussions.

“They shouldn’t forget the contribution of India, especially Tripura, during their war for liberation. Today, they forgot their history and have violated all norms,” Saha said. “The Centre is keeping a close eye on the situation in Bangladesh. If they don’t stop such anti-Indian activities, the consequences will be severe,” he added.

Meanwhile, some private hospitals in Agartala and Kolkata announced they would no longer treat patients from Bangladesh, reported The Times of India. Additionally, Indian businessmen in Unakoti have also suspended trade with their Bangladeshi counterparts.