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Another Hindu man has been shot dead in Bangladesh, marking the fifth attack in three weeks. What’s fueling this wave of violence against minorities? Investigations are underway, and tensions are rising across the country.
Hindu man shot dead in Bangladesh
Dhaka: Another Hindu man was shot dead in Bangladesh on Monday, marking the fifth such incident in just three weeks following unrest after the death of radical student leader Sharif Osman Hadi. The latest victim has been identified as Rana Pratap Bairagi, who was killed at Kopalia Bazar in the Jessore district around noon.
Bairagi, a resident of Arua village, worked as a school teacher. According to media reports, he was attacked by unidentified miscreants while at the market. The attackers fled the scene immediately, and Bairagi succumbed to his injuries on the spot. The police have registered a case and launched an investigation to track down the culprits.
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Bairagi’s killing is the fifth violent attack targeting Hindus in Bangladesh in the past few weeks. On December 18, Dipu Chandra Das, a garment factory worker, was beaten to death by a mob in Mymensingh. Six days later, Amrit Mondal was lynched in Pangsha Upazila over allegations of blasphemy.
Other incidents include the shooting of Bajendra Biswas in Mymensingh and the assault and torching of 50-year-old businessman Khokon Das, who later died from his injuries on January 3. These attacks have raised fears among minority communities across Bangladesh.
The Indian government has repeatedly expressed concern over attacks on minorities in Bangladesh. Last month, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that over 2,900 incidents of violence against Hindus, Christians, and Buddhists have been reported under the interim government of Mohammad Yunus.
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Jaiswal described the ongoing hostility toward minorities by extremists in Bangladesh as “a matter of grave concern”.
The recent wave of attacks follows the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, founder and spokesperson of Inqilab Moncho, who was shot in the head while campaigning in Dhaka for the February 12 parliamentary elections. Hadi was transferred to Singapore for treatment but succumbed to his injuries on December 18, sparking nationwide protests.
Since his death, attacks on Hindu communities have surged, intensifying fears among minorities and drawing international attention to the growing tensions in Bangladesh.
