VHP protests in Tripura against alleged atrocities on Hindus in Bangladesh, demands trade halt at Raghna Border

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), along with members of the Sanatani community of North Tripura, on January 6, held a protest and rally at the Raghna Border along the India–Bangladesh frontier, demanding an immediate halt to bilateral trade and a boycott of Bangladeshi products in protest against alleged atrocities on Hindu minorities in Bangladesh.

The demonstration was organised to highlight what the VHP described as persecution, targeted violence, and killings of Hindus in the neighbouring country. The protest began with a gathering at Dharmanagar’s BBI Maidan around noon, followed by a bike and vehicle rally that proceeded to the Raghna Land Customs Station (LCS) in North Tripura district.

After reaching the border area, the protesters staged a peaceful demonstration and called for the suspension of import–export activities through the Raghna LCS. VHP leaders later submitted a memorandum to senior administrative officials, expressing “grave concern and deep resentment” over the “continuous atrocities, systemic persecution, and targeted killings of minority Hindus” in Bangladesh.

In the memorandum, the organisation stated that the recurring incidents of violence against Hindus across the border had “reached an unbearable limit” and asserted that people in North Tripura were no longer willing to maintain trade, commerce, or communication with Bangladesh through the border. The VHP demanded the immediate closure of the Raghna Border and suspension of all bilateral trade activities, saying national dignity and the safety of the Hindu community must take precedence over economic relations.

Addressing the media, rally coordinator Birendra Das said the protest was organised in response to the killing of Hindu youth Dipu Chandra Das in Bangladesh and continued reports of violence against Hindus and other minority communities. He called for exemplary punishment for those responsible for the killing and urged authorities to take concrete steps to ensure the safety and security of minorities in Bangladesh.

The protesters also appealed to Indian citizens to boycott Bangladeshi products and demanded a complete halt to bilateral trade until incidents of violence against Hindus in Bangladesh come to an end.