DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in the Bangladeshi capital on Friday to join the celebrations of the country’s 50th anniversary of independence.
His visit sparked violent protests at the main mosque in Dhaka, which were dispersed by police using tear gas and rubber bullets – injuring many – after clashes broke out between groups of protesters, officials and witnesses said.
Critics accuse Modi’s Hindu-nationalist party of fueling religious polarization in India and discriminating against minorities, especially Muslims.
Modi’s two-day visit, his first overseas visit since the coronavirus pandemic began last year, will include the celebration of 100 years since the birth of Bangladesh’s independence leader, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, father of current Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Hasina, India’s key partner in maintaining regional stability, welcomed Modi at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka on Friday morning.
On Friday afternoon, hundreds of protesters gathered outside the Baitul Mokarram mosque. Witnesses said violent clashes broke out after a faction of protesters started shaking their shoes in disrespect to Modi, and another group tried to stop them.
Local media said the protesters who tried to prevent shoe shaking are in line with the ruling Awami League party. The party criticized the other protesting faction for trying to create chaos in the country during Modi’s visit.
Local TV showed protesters throwing stones at the police, who were heavily present in the streets near the mosque. Somoy TV reported that at least 40 people were injured, including journalists, and were taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for treatment.
Abdul Mazid, a businessman who joined the prayer, told the Associated Press that he was trapped in the mosque after trying to flee when violence broke out during the prayer.
“I had a feeling that something was going to happen. I’m still inside the mosque, ”he said by phone. “There is enormous violence, I can see from here.”
A police official said members of several Islamic groups had joined the protests, but it was unclear which groups they represented. The official spoke on condition of anonymity, in accordance with the regulations. He declined to provide data on how many people were injured.
While Modi’s trip focuses mainly on Bangladesh’s birthday celebrations, the visit also has a political agenda at home, as voting begins on Saturday in several state elections, including West Bengal, which borders Bangladesh.
In order to win Hindu support in the main battle state, Modi must visit a Hindu temple outside Dhaka, sacred to the Matua community in West Bengal. The vote by the Matua sect should determine the winner of at least seven seats in a close contest for control of the state assembly.
Modi, in a tweet on the Thursday night before his trip, said the two countries share a vital relationship.
“Our partnership with Bangladesh is an important pillar of our Neighborhood First policy and we are committed to deepening and diversifying it. We will continue to support Bangladesh’s remarkable development journey, under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, ”he said.
In recent weeks, protesters have asked the Indian leader not to go to Bangladesh and shouted anti-India and anti-Modi slogans. Protesting students called Modi “the butcher of Gujarat”. Others carried placards that read “Go back Modi, Go back in India” and “Go back Modi killer”.
Modi was chief minister in the western state of Gujarat in 2002, when unrest between Hindus and Muslims left more than 1,000 dead. Claims that the authorities have allowed and even encouraged bloodshed have been following Modi, who has repeatedly denied having any role. India’s Supreme Court said it found no evidence to prosecute him.
Protesters also criticized Hasina for inviting Modi, saying the two countries have many unresolved disputes. Protesters accuse Modi and his Hindu-nationalist party of discriminating against Muslims, as a controversial 2019 amendment to the law of citizenship.
They also criticized the deaths of Bangladesh by Indian border guards. India says these victims happen when Bangladeshis are involved in smuggling at the border and are trying to cross the border illegally.