Sign In
By signing in or creating an account, you agree with Associated Broadcasting Company's Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
By signing in or creating an account, you agree with Associated Broadcasting Company's Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
New Delhi: The violence against minorities, especially Hindus, continue unabated in Bangladesh ahead of the February general elections. On Tuesday, a 25-year-old Hindu man was killed in Naogaon district -- seventh reported killing of a Hindu in the country within the last 20 days.
The victim, identified as Mithun Sarkar, was allegedly drowned to death. The man died after jumping into a canal to escape a mob chasing him on suspicion of theft. Police have not yet released details on arrests or the motive behind the killing.
The incident comes against the backdrop of a sharp rise in attacks on Hindus across Bangladesh.
According to the Bangladesh Minority Platform, communal violence against Hindus has increased at an "alarming rate", creating widespread fear and uncertainty among minority communities.
The platform said that earlier killings this month included Satyaranjan Das on January 2, Khokon Chandra Das on January 3, Shubho Poddar on January 4, and Rana Pratap Bairagi on January 5, among others.
In December alone, at least 51 incidents of violence targeting minorities were reported, the group said. These included 10 murders, 10 cases of theft and robbery, and 23 incidents involving arson, looting, illegal land occupation, and attacks on homes, businesses and temples. The group also cited four cases of detention and torture based on alleged religious blasphemy or accusations of links to India's intelligence agency RAW, one attempted rape, and three assault cases.
The violence has continued into January. On January 2, paddy crops cultivated on land owned by Satyaranjan Das in Lakshmipur were allegedly set on fire. On January 3, Khokon Chandra Das was reportedly killed in Shariatpur, with his body later burned.
On the same day, robberies were reported at the homes of Milan Das in Boalkhali, Chattogram, and Sanu Das in Homna, Cumilla.
On January 4, a gold trader, Shubho Poddar, was allegedly assaulted and robbed at his shop. The same day, a 40-year-old Hindu widowed woman was reportedly raped in Kaliganj, Jhenaidah, and subjected to physical abuse.
Meanwhile, amid the surge in violence, India's Ministry of External Affairs has said that there is "unremitting hostility" against religious minority groups and that "over 2,900 violent incidents" against minority communities have taken place since the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus came to power in August 2024.
