Bangladesh witnessed two deaths within 24 hours in a fresh spike of violence against its minority Hindu community. The incidents have triggered serious concerns over law and order and the safety of minorities.
The back-to-back killings take the toll to six Hindu deaths in 18 days, with the latest victims identified as Sarat Chakraborty Mani (40), a grocery shop owner killed in Narsingdi on Monday night and Hindu journalist Rana Pratap Bairagi, who was shot and had his throat slit in Manirampur, Jashore, on the same day.
Mani was attacked with sharp weapons at Charsindur Bazaar in Palash Upazila while he was running his shop as usual. Bangladesh news channel Blitz reported, citing eyewitnesses, that unidentified assailants suddenly attacked him, leaving him critically injured. As locals rushed him to the hospital, he died on the way.
Sarat Chakraborty Mani was the son of Madan Thakur, a resident of Sadharchar Union in Shibpur Upazila. His wife, Antara Mukherjee, is a homemaker and he is survived by a 12-year-old son, Abhik Chakraborty.
Mani had earlier worked in South Korea and returned to Bangladesh a few years ago. He later built a house in Brahmandi, Narsingdi town, where he lived with his family.
A family member, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Mani lived a simple and peaceful life and had no disputes with anyone. He was, however, deeply troubled by the deteriorating situation in the country.
On December 19, he wrote in a Facebook post: “So much fire everywhere, so much violence. My birthplace has turned into a valley of death,” according to Blitz.
Mani's neighbour described him as calm, humane and socially responsible, stating that he had no enemies. According to the neighbour, the only possible reason for his killing was that he was Hindu.
Hindu journalist killed in targeted Jashore assault
Mani’s killing came on the same day as the murder of Hindu journalist Rana Pratap Bairagi (also known as Rana Pratap) in Manirampur, Jashore. The 45-year-old factory owner and acting editor of BD Khobor was shot multiple times in the head and his throat was slit in the Kopalia Bazar area.
Monirampur Police station officer-in-charge Md Raziullah Khan said the attack took place around 6 pm. He said: “Rana was shot three times in the head, and his throat was slit. Upon receiving the news, we went to the scene. The body has been recovered and sent for autopsy. We are investigating the perpetrators.”
Police recovered seven bullet casings from the spot.
Witness Ripon Hossain said the attackers arrived on a motorcycle, called Rana out of his ice factory, shot him multiple times and fled immediately. Rana was the son of a schoolteacher from Arua village in Keshabpur upazila and had been running his ice factory for two years.
Rana’s murder followed a series of brutal attacks on Hindus across Bangladesh.
In Mymensingh district, Dipu Chandra Das, a local garment factory worker, was lynched by a mob, after which his body was hung from a tree and set on fire last month.
Another killing was reported last week, when Khokon Das (50), a Hindu pharmacy owner and bKash mobile banking agent, was attacked while returning home after closing his shop in Keherbhanga Bazaar. He was assaulted by three to four attackers near the Tilai area and later died from his injuries.
Last week, Bajendra Biswas, a Hindu garment factory worker, was shot dead while on duty at a factory in Mymensingh.
Sexual violence against Hindu women adds to minority fears
Alongside these killings, sexual violence against Hindu women has also sparked outrage. In Jhenaidah district, a 40-year-old Hindu widow was allegedly tortured, raped, tied to a tree and had her hair cut by two local men. The survivor was rescued unconscious and admitted to Jhenaidah Sadar Hospital.
Hospital superintendent Dr Mohammad Mustafizur Rahman said: “Later, through medical examination, we came to know that she had been subjected to torture.”
Jhenaidah additional superintendent of police Bilal Hossain said: “We have called the victim to the police station and registered her complaint. After completing the investigation, the police will take strict legal action against those responsible.”
The two accused have since been arrested.
The string of killings and assaults has drawn international attention. India has expressed concern over what it described as “unremitting hostility” faced by minorities in Bangladesh under the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus, adding that it is closely monitoring the situation.