Indian Visa Services In Bangladesh Suspended Amidst Ongoing Unrest

All Indian visa application centres in Bangladesh will remain closed until further notice due to the "unstable situation" following massive protests that led to Sheikh Hasina's resignation as Prime Minister and her subsequent escape to India earlier this week.

The Indian Visa Application Centre posted a notice on their website, informing applicants that the next date for applications would be communicated via SMS and advising them to collect their passports on the next working day.

The notice stated, "All Indian visa application centres will remain closed till further notice, due to the unstable situation. The next application date will be informed through SMS and it is requested to pick up the passport on the next working day."

This closure follows India's evacuation of 190 non-essential staffers and their families from the Indian High Commission in Dhaka after the collapse of the Sheikh Hasina-led government on Monday.

Despite the evacuation, sources confirmed that all diplomats remain in Bangladesh and the missions continue to function.

In addition to the High Commission in Dhaka, India operates assistant high commissions or consulates in Chittagong, Rajshahi, Khulna, and Sylhet.

The unrest began in June when protests, primarily led by students, erupted over a controversial job quota system that reserved 30% of government jobs for the families of veterans who fought in the 1971 Liberation War.

These protests, which initially started as peaceful demonstrations, turned violent following a police crackdown.

The demonstrations quickly escalated into a widespread movement against Sheikh Hasina's 15-year rule, demanding the resignation of the 76-year-old leader.

Despite her resignation and departure to India on Monday, unrest continues across Bangladesh, with reports of hundreds of houses and businesses belonging to Hindus, as well as temples, being vandalised and looted.

On Thursday, an army-backed interim government, led by Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus, is set to take office amid ongoing violent protests. Yunus, chosen by the student protesters, will serve as the chief adviser of the interim government.

As per an India Today report, the Indian government is reportedly working on securing asylum for Sheikh Hasina in a European country.