Bangladesh: Another Hindu lynched by mob amid rising global concern

New Delhi: The persecution of minorities continues in Bangladesh with another Hindu man killed by an Islamist mob. This is the latest in a long series of attacks on minorities since sitting prime minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed was forced to flee to India after a mass movement led by various student groups.

What do we know about this incident? 

The incident reportedly took place in Bhangadohor village of Dirai Upazila in Sunamganj district. The victim has been identified as Joy Mahapatro. According to the victim’s family, Joy was first brutally beaten by a mob and later poisoned by a local Muslim man named Amirul Islam. He later died in the ICU of Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital.

What is the situation in Bangladesh? 

 Attacks on Hindus continue unabated amidst violent protests in Bangladesh. Seven Hindu men have been murdered in Bangladesh in the last 18 days. The surge in killings of Hindus in Bangladesh has once again made it clear that whenever the government's grip weakens, violence against the Hindu minority increases.

How has India reacted?

India has expressed deep concern over the attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh and has told the interim administration led by Mohammed Younus. 

"We are witnessing a disturbing pattern of repeated attacks by extremists on minorities, as well as their homes and businesses in Bangladesh. It is essential to deal with such communal incidents immediately and strictly,” Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said. 

“We have observed a worrying tendency to attribute such incidents to personal enmity, political differences, or external factors. Such inaction emboldens the perpetrators and deepens the sense of fear and insecurity among minorities," he added.

How has India reacted?

Taking a strong stand against the repeated attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh, the Indian government on Friday told the interim administration led by Mohammed Younus to protect the rights of religious minorities in the country. 

What prompted India’s response?

The violence against the Hindu community in Bangladesh has continued unabated since the formation of the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus last year. Several temples have been vandalized, and even Hindus working in government jobs have been forced to resign. Meanwhile, at least five Hindus have been killed in Bangladesh in the past month. On Friday, the Indian government clearly told the Yunus government to strictly curb the communal incidents happening in the country.

What did the Indian government say?

"We are witnessing a worrying trend of repeated attacks by extremists on minorities, as well as their homes and businesses," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told the media. 

He said that it is necessary to deal with such communal incidents immediately and strictly.

"We have seen a worrying tendency to attribute such incidents to personal enmity, political differences, or external factors." He further added, "Such inaction emboldens the perpetrators and deepens the sense of fear and insecurity among minorities," Jaiswal said.

What is the condition of Hindus in Bangladesh?

At least five Hindus have been killed in Bangladesh in less than a month. On December 18, Deepu Chandra Das, who worked in a garment factory, was beaten to death by a mob, and his body was then hung from a tree and set on fire. At least 12 people have been arrested for their alleged involvement in Das's murder. Then, on December 24, Amrit Mandal was murdered in Pangsha sub-district of Rajbari town on charges of extortion. 

Following this, on the night of December 31, Hindu businessman Khokon Chandra Das (50), who was returning home after closing his shop, was brutally attacked by miscreants, who stabbed him with sharp weapons and then set him on fire. Das died three days later on January 3 at the hospital. Approximately 13.1 million Hindus live in Bangladesh.

Rana Pratap Bairagi (38), the owner of an ice factory and acting editor of the newspaper 'Dainik BD Khabor' published from Narail, was shot dead by unknown assailants on January 5 in Jessore district of southern Bangladesh. 

In another incident, Moni Chakraborty (40), the owner of a grocery store, was killed with a sharp weapon by unknown assailants on the night of January 5 in Char Sindur market of Palash sub-district. Since the ouster of Sheikh Hasina's government in August 2024, the Hindu population in Bangladesh has been affected by several incidents targeting minority communities. According to the 2022 census, approximately 13.1 million Hindus live in Bangladesh, constituting about 7.95 percent of the total population.