German Embassy Closed, US Issues Alert – What’s Really Happening In Bangladesh On Dec 25? | World News

New Delhi: The unusual diplomatic moves in Dhaka have raised questions about what is expected to happen in Bangladesh on December 25, causing Western missions to be more cautious.

Germany’s embassy in Bangladesh announced that it will remain closed on 24 and 25 December. At the same time, the US Embassy in Dhaka also issued an advisory for December 25, sensing possible disruptions and urging caution.

While the German mission did not explain the reason for its decision to suspend operations for two days, the American embassy made a detailed statement.

The developments come days after many Western countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom and members of the European Union, issued statements of condolence following the death of student leader Sharif Usman Hadi. Questions are being asked as to why Germany and the US appear to be particularly alert to December 25 in Bangladesh.

In its post on X, the German Embassy in Dhaka said, “The Embassy will be closed on December 24 and 25 and will resume its activities from December 28.”

The US Embassy, ​​in its advisory, referred to media reports that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party was planning a large gathering in Dhaka to celebrate the return of acting chairman Tarique Rahman.

According to the alert, the rally is scheduled to start at 11.45 am on December 25 and will extend from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to Gulshan, covering Purbachal Highway and other important routes.

“High traffic congestion is expected due to this,” the consultant said. He urged people traveling in and around Dhaka to allow extra time and consider alternative routes. The embassy also advised passengers heading to the airport to have their flight tickets and travel documents with them and be prepared to show them at police checkpoints.

During this period, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor also met with Bangladesh’s Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus. During the meetings, the latest developments in Bangladesh and the upcoming elections were discussed.

Rahman’s Return After 17 Years

Media reports state that BNP Deputy Chairman Rahman applied for a travel card to return to Bangladesh on December 25. He submitted the application to the Bangladesh High Commission in London.

In its Facebook post dated December 18, BNP said, “Tarique will arrive at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 11.45 on December 25.”

He is the eldest son of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman and party president Khaleda Zia. He was arrested in 2007 during the Army-backed caretaker government. He went to the UK for medical treatment in 2008 and has lived there ever since.

His wife, Zubaida Rahman, returned to London on December 20 after her trip to Bangladesh.

Zia played a central role in Bangladeshi politics for more than four decades. She became the head of the BNP after her husband’s murder. Ziaur Rahman was serving as president of Bangladesh when he was assassinated in 1981.

Khaleda Zia became a supporter of multi-party democracy in Bangladesh. After the BNP won the elections in 1991, she became the country’s first female prime minister. He came to power again in 2001 and remained in office until 2006.

BNP boycotted the last three elections. Zia supported the movement against Sheikh Hasina in 2024. BNP is Bangladesh’s largest political party and speculation is growing that it could return to power in next year’s elections.

Zia was in prison during Hasina’s tenure as prime minister. The courts had convicted his son Tarique Rahman in many cases. The interim government later acquitted the mother-son duo.

Western Embassies, Usman Hadi Factor

On December 12, Inqilab Manch leader Hadi was shot by unidentified assailants in Bangladesh. He was taken to a hospital in Singapore for treatment and later died.

He had emerged as the popular face of the 2024 uprising that resulted in the ouster of former Prime Minister Hasina.

Following the news of his death, violence broke out in some parts of Bangladesh. The Indian High Commission was also attacked after rumors spread that Hadi’s killers had fled to India.

On the day of Hadi’s funeral, European embassies issued condolences and the German Embassy lowered its flag as a sign of respect. India has not issued any official reaction to his death.

Former Indian Foreign Minister Kanwal Sibal questioned the reaction from Western countries. In a post about

He added: “More interestingly, Hadi had Islamist connections. His Inqilab Manch aimed to Islamise the so-called secular Bangladesh. His behavior was extremely hostile towards India and claimed India’s north-east. Therefore, a special message is being sent to India in the regional context.”

Sibal also wrote that Hadi’s organization was campaigning to ban the Awami League and prevent it from participating in the upcoming elections.

“Western countries complained that Sheikh Hasina was not democratic enough. It is against democracy and minority rights to mourn the death of a person whose organization tried to impose sharia law in Bangladesh. Her followers repeatedly burned buildings affiliated with Sheikh Mujibur Rahman while rejecting Bangladesh’s liberation struggle,” he said.

He continued: “Do these Western embassies approve of all this? Is this another example of the West’s double standards and hypocrisy? Such official statements are usually issued in cases where the individual is of international importance.”

Following these developments, Russian Ambassador to Bangladesh Alexander Grigoryevich Khozin said on Monday that the tension between Bangladesh and India should be reduced as soon as possible. He said he was not intervening in bilateral relations but felt it would be wise to find a way to prevent tensions from rising above current levels.

Tension in India-Bangladesh Ties

Relations between India and Bangladesh have been tense since the unrest in Bangladesh last year. Anti-India sentiments intensified following the violence following Hadi’s death.

Last week, a Hindu youth was beaten to death in the country. Days later, India and Bangladesh clashed diplomatically following an alleged protest outside the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on December 20.

Following the incident, Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal said India had described what he described as “misleading propaganda” circulating in some sections of Bangladeshi media.

“The fact is that around 20-25 people gathered in front of the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on December 20. They shouted slogans against the murder of Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh and demanded protection of all minorities in Bangladesh,” his official statement said.

Dhaka reacted strongly to the statement, protesting against a demonstration outside its mission in New Delhi. He said the incident could not be dismissed simply as “misleading propaganda”.

The country said that the “unwanted incident” that occurred at the High Commission residence on December 20 was regrettable. It was stated that it was unacceptable to call this misleading propaganda. In its statement, the Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the incident as an “inappropriate incident” and drew attention to the increasing tension between the two neighbors as December 25 approaches.