The Hindu Sangharsh Samiti (HSS), the group responsible for the attack on the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala, was formed just over a week ago. The group emerged with the aim of mobilizing support against perceived atrocities against Hindus, particularly following the arrest of a Hindu monk in Bangladesh. According to Shankar Roy, the leader of HSS, the Samiti serves as an umbrella organization for Hindutva groups and other like-minded forums such as the RSS and VHP. In the wake of the attack, which saw the group’s members vandalize the Bangladesh mission and remove the national flag, similar organizations have sprung up in various districts across India.

The incident in Tripura has sparked widespread protests, including in West Bengal, where various Hindu groups are rallying against alleged atrocities in Bangladesh. Although BJP leaders and members of RSS-affiliated organizations like the VHP and Bajrang Dal have participated in these protests, they have distanced themselves from the violence. Senior VHP leader Purna Chandra Mandal, present at the protest, condemned the attack but emphasized that the group’s primary goal was to petition the Indian government to pressure Bangladesh to stop its alleged mistreatment of Hindus. These protests reflect deep anger within the community over what they perceive as ongoing persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh, with some groups even calling for the severance of diplomatic ties between the two nations.

While some political leaders, including from the CPI(M) in Tripura, have expressed concern over the use of violence in these protests, they have condemned the alleged persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh. Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha condemned the violent incident but defended the peaceful protests. Similarly, protests continue across Bengal and Tripura, with leaders from organizations like the Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Mahasabha demanding stronger action from the Indian government. Despite political tensions, the protests highlight a rising sentiment among many Hindus who feel increasingly vulnerable in the face of ongoing religious tensions across the border in Bangladesh.