Attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh Intensify After Sheikh Hasina’s Ouster

Fourth Hindu Targeted in Weeks as Minority Safety Comes Under Global Scrutiny

Violence against Bangladesh’s Hindu minority has escalated sharply in recent weeks, raising serious concerns over law and order following the collapse of the Sheikh Hasina government in August 2024. In the latest incident, a Hindu businessman was brutally attacked and set on fire in southern Bangladesh, marking the fourth major assault on Hindus within a fortnight.

The series of incidents has drawn diplomatic concern from India and placed renewed focus on the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, ahead of national elections scheduled for February 2026.

Hindu Businessman Attacked and Set Ablaze in Shariatpur

On the night of December 31, 2025, Khokon Chandra Das (45–50), a Hindu pharmacist and mobile banking operator, was attacked in Damudya Upazila of Shariatpur district, according to Bangladeshi police and local media reports.

Das was returning home after closing his pharmacy when his autorickshaw was intercepted near Keurbhanga Bazar. The attackers allegedly:

• Assaulted him physically

• Stabbed him in the lower abdomen with sharp weapons

• Robbed him of cash and a mobile phone

• Poured petrol on his body and set him on fire

In an attempt to save himself, Das jumped into a roadside pond, after which local residents intervened and alerted authorities.

He was initially taken to Shariatpur Sadar Hospital, where doctors confirmed:

• Multiple stab injuries

• A serious abdominal wound

• Burn injuries on his face, head and hands

Due to the severity of his condition, Das was later referred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment.

Police Investigation

Damudya Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Rabiul Haque said two suspects — Rabbi and Sohag — have been named in the case.

“Efforts are underway to arrest them and identify others involved in the attack,” Haque said.

Das’s wife, Seema Das, said the family was unable to understand the motive behind the attack, adding that her husband had recognised two of the assailants.

Garment Factory Shooting in Mymensingh

Earlier, on December 29, another Hindu man, Bajendra Biswas (40), was shot dead inside a garment factory in Bhaluka Upazila, Mymensingh district.

Biswas, a garment factory worker at Sultana Sweaters Limited, was also a member of the Ansar Bahini, a paramilitary auxiliary force under Bangladesh’s Ministry of Home Affairs.

According to reports:

• The accused, Noman Mia, a colleague and fellow Ansar member

• Allegedly pressed a shotgun against Biswas’s thigh and fired

• Biswas later succumbed to injuries at the Upazila Health Complex

An eyewitness, APC Azahar Ali, said there was no visible argument before the shooting. Noman Mia has been arrested, and police are probing whether the incident was intentional or accidental.

Lynching Over Alleged Blasphemy in Mymensingh

On December 18, Dipu Chandra Das (25–27), a Hindu garment worker, was lynched by a mob in Mymensingh after being accused of blasphemy.

Reports stated that:

• Das was beaten to death

• His body was tied to a tree and set on fire

• He had previously received threats linked to workplace disputes

His father alleged that co-workers who failed to secure jobs conspired against his son by spreading false blasphemy allegations.

Bangladesh Police arrested 12 people, including two co-workers, in connection with the killing.

The interim government condemned the incident, stating there was “no place for such violence in the new Bangladesh.”

Another Hindu Youth Lynched in Rajbari

On December 24, Amrit Mondal (29), also known as Samrat, was lynched by a mob in Kalimohar Union, Pangsha Upazila, Rajbari district.

Police claimed Mondal had a criminal background and was accused of extortion, though the incident further deepened fears among minority communities amid rising mob violence.

Arson Attacks on Hindu Homes Reported

In addition to killings, arson attacks on Hindu households have been reported in recent weeks.

In Dumritala village, Pirojpur district, a Hindu family’s home was set on fire after attackers allegedly locked the family inside from outside. The Saha family managed to escape by cutting through tin sheets and bamboo fencing.

India Expresses Diplomatic Concern

India has formally raised concerns over the situation.

On December 26, the Ministry of External Affairs stated that over 2,900 violent incidents targeting minority communities had occurred in Bangladesh since August 2024.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said:

“The unremitting hostility against minorities in Bangladesh, including Hindus, Christians and Buddhists, is a matter of grave concern.”

India has urged Bangladeshi authorities to ensure accountability and protect minority rights.

Minority Insecurity Grows Ahead of 2026 Elections

While attacks on minorities were reported even during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure, community leaders say fear has intensified since her ouster, especially in rural areas.

According to Deboraj Bhattacharjee, a Hindu banker based in Dhaka:

“Since the fall of Hasina, the sense of insecurity among Hindu communities has visibly increased.”

Bangladesh heads into general elections in February 2026, with minority safety emerging as a critical issue.