Congress MP and chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, Shashi Tharoor, expressed deep disappointment over the violent protests erupting in Bangladesh on December 19, 2025, following the death of youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi, invoking former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's famous maxim on immutable geography to underscore the need for stable neighborly relations.

Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Tharoor highlighted practical repercussions of the unrest, including the closure of Indian visa centers in Bangladesh, which has hindered ordinary citizens seeking travel to India for medical treatment or other purposes. He referenced a recent committee report urging constructive engagement with Dhaka, noting India's historical role in Bangladesh's 1971 liberation while cautioning against rising hostility toward Indians and perceived pro-India elements.

Tharoor quoted Vajpayee's well-known remark originally about Pakistan—"As Vajpayee Saheb famously said, we cannot change our geography"—to emphasize that India and Bangladesh must coexist and cooperate despite tensions. He called for normalization soon, urging Bangladeshi authorities to value the close bilateral ties and address irresponsible provocative statements, including threats related to India's northeastern states.

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The comments come amid escalating violence in Dhaka and other cities, triggered by Hadi's death in Singapore after an assassination attempt, with protesters targeting media houses and properties linked to ousted leader Sheikh Hasina. Tharoor stressed India's stake in a stable Bangladesh, balancing concern over anti-India sentiments with a commitment not to abandon ordinary Bangladeshis, as New Delhi closely monitors developments.

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