After blasphemy lynching, Kol worries for relatives in Bangla
Times of India | 21 December 2025
Kolkata: Family members and relatives of Bangladeshis in Kolkata are worried over to the violence escalating on the other side of the border. Videos of vandalism and arson on TV have prompted them to get in touch with relatives, who are also living in fear.
Relatives of Dibyendu Bhattacharya, an IT professional working in Dhaka, are anxious about him and his family. As news of unrest spread, his relatives in Birati have been making frequent calls to enquire about the situation in his neighbourhood. "Initially, the phone lines were down, and we struggled to contact him. We feared the worst as mobile networks appeared congested and information remained unclear. Though Dibyendu was later confirmed to be safe, the situation is volatile, and his family is shaken. When someone is living across the border, even a short communication gap creates unbearable anxiety, especially during periods of unrest like this," said a family member.
Baidya Nath Sarkar, Dibyendu's relative based in Kolkata, said he made several attempts to call him when the news of the violent protests broke in the media. "There was no response for a long time. It left us in panic since visuals of arson and buildings being ransacked and set on fire were being aired on TV channels. Fortunately, they are safe, but we will remain worried till peace returns," Sarkar said.
Dola Banerjee, a Bangladeshi national suffering from kidney ailments, now faces uncertainty about her medical treatment in Kolkata. Dola had travelled to Kolkata in Nov for medical consultation and was scheduled for a follow-up appointment in Jan at Manipal Hospital. However, the suspension of visa services has put her treatment plan in jeopardy.
Her relative, Sreemoyee Banerjee, in Barasat, expressed serious concern: "The doctor's consultation is crucial for her condition. We don't know how she will meet the doctor or continue her treatment if the visa issue is not resolved," she said.