Diplomatic tensions between India and Bangladesh have increased, with Bangladesh summoning acting Indian High Commissioner Pawan Badhe on Thursday to formally protest ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's "fabricated and provocative" comments made on Wednesday. Hasina, who fled to India after the violent regime change in August of last year, gave an online speech on Facebook Live accusing Muhammad Yunus, chief adviser of the interim government, of seizing power by "walking over dead bodies". This followed a mob torching and demolishing the residence-turned-memorial of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Bangladesh's foreign ministry expressed "deep concern, disappointment and serious reservations" in its protest note to Badhe, stating that Hasina's "hostile" statements weren't conducive to fostering healthy Dhaka-Delhi ties. India "strongly condemned" the razing of Mujib's memorial, calling it an "act of vandalism". The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated, "All those who value the freedom struggle that nurtured the 'Bangla' identity and pride are aware of the importance of this residence for the national consciousness of Bangladesh".