Bangladesh Calls for Work Permit Revocation for Indians Amid Tensions

In a significant development in Bangladesh, the political group Inqilab Mancha has called for the cancellation of work permits for Indian nationals in the country. This demand was made against the backdrop of ongoing unrest following the assassination of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi. Abdullah Al Jaber, the member secretary of Inqilab Mancha, announced this demand at a protest in Dhaka's Shahbagh area on 28 December 2025, stating that the government must act to uphold the nation’s sovereignty and independence.

The group set a deadline of 24 days for the interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, to arrest and prosecute those responsible for Hadi’s murder. "The trial of the entire killing squad, including the killer, the mastermind, accomplices, and those who aided their escape, must be completed within the next 24 days," Jaber stated in his announcement. It is also reported that the group plans to intensify its protests, having previously held sit-ins demanding justice for Hadi.

Sharif Osman Hadi was a prominent figure in the July-August 2024 protests that resulted in the ousting of the Awami League government. He was shot shortly after the Bangladesh Election Commission announced that elections would be held on 12 February 2026. Following the attack, he was airlifted to Singapore for medical treatment but succumbed to his injuries on 18 December 2025.

The Inqilab Mancha has also demanded that if India does not extradite individuals believed to be involved in Hadi's murder, the Bangladeshi government should file a case against India in an international court. Jaber's statement reflects a growing sentiment of resentment towards India, particularly after claims by Bangladeshi police that two primary suspects fled to India via the Haluaghat border, which connects to the Indian state of Meghalaya.

However, this claim has been disputed by security agencies in Meghalaya, who assert that there is no evidence to support such allegations. Inspector General OP Opadhyay from Meghalaya's police dismissed the allegations as unfounded, stating, "The Border Security Force has neither detected nor received any report of such an incident."

In addition to these developments, the Bangladesh foreign ministry has rejected India's concerns regarding violence against minorities in Bangladesh, characterising such incidents as isolated and not indicative of systemic persecution. The ministry's spokesperson, SM Mahbubul Alam, also expressed concerns regarding violence targeting religious events in India, particularly against Muslims and Christians, asserting that such incidents should be investigated thoroughly.

As political tensions rise in Bangladesh, the demands of Inqilab Mancha could further complicate relations with India, particularly as both nations navigate sensitive issues surrounding minority rights and regional stability.