2021 Bangladesh anti-Modi protests

A series of rallies, demonstrations, and blockades opposing the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the celebrations of the birth centenary of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh's independence from Pakistan were held in Bangladesh from 19 to 29 March 2021. Accusing Narendra Modi of committing crimes against humanity during the 2002 Gujarat riots, the protesters agitated against what they alleged were anti-Muslim policies and interference in Bangladeshi politics. Protesters demanded the cancellation of the Bangladesh government's invitation to the Indian Prime Minister. The otherwise peaceful protests turned violent when the protesters were attacked by supporters of the ruling Awami League party, along with a crackdown by law enforcement agencies, causing the deaths of several protesters throughout the last week of March 2021. Initially launched by progressive student organisations including the Bangladesh Students' Union, Bangladesh Chhatra Odhikar Parishad, and the Socialist Students' Front, the demonstrations were later joined by Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh.

The deadly conflict chiefly began when supporters of the Awami League tried to stop the protesters from waving their shoes at Modi as a sign of discontent at Baitul Mukarram mosque, Dhaka. This resulted in violent clashes involving both sides. After the incident, the violence spread to several key districts in the country, leading to damage to public property.

Amnesty International, in a statement on 26 March 2021, criticized the Bangladesh government for using excessive force on the protesters and urged the government to "respect the right to freedom of assembly and protect peaceful protesters". Following the killings of its supporters on Friday, Hefazat called a strike protesting the killing of its activists by police and the attack on them by supporters of the ruling party on Sunday, 28 March. "Police opened fire on our peaceful supporters," the group's organizing secretary Azizul Haque told a rally in Chittagong. "We will not let the blood of our brothers and sisters go in vain." The clashes resulted in at least 14 deaths and many injuries, with Brahmanbaria alone accounting for 10 deaths.