Concerns over the safety of religious minorities in Bangladesh have resurfaced following the brutal assault of a Hindu man on New Year’s Eve. Khokan Das, 50, was reportedly attacked while returning home alone in the late evening.
According to reports, Das was surrounded by a group of assailants who first beat him with sharp weapons before dousing him in petrol and setting him on fire. Locals rescued him and rushed him to a nearby hospital, where he is now in critical condition. Police have opened an investigation, though no arrests have been reported.
“This is reportedly the fourth such incident involving the Hindu community in December alone,” said a Ministry of External Affairs official. The recent surge in attacks follows widespread protests after the murder of anti-India student leader Osman Hadi, which escalated tensions across Bangladesh.
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Earlier incidents included the killing of Deepu Das in Mymensingh, who was beaten and hanged by a mob before his body was set ablaze, as well as the alleged murders of Amrit Mandal and Bajendra Das. These attacks have drawn criticism from minority organisations, which say violence against religious communities has increased under the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus. Authorities have not officially commented.
India has expressed concern over the rise in attacks, describing the developments as “continuous hostility” toward minorities. While both countries maintain traditionally close diplomatic ties, the incidents have caused unease in Indian diplomatic circles and are being closely monitored.
The attack on Khokan Das has once again pointed at the vulnerability of religious minorities in Bangladesh and renewed calls for urgent measures to ensure their protection.
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