An Islamist mob brutally killed a Hindu man in Bangladesh’s Mymensingh district after accusing him of blasphemy, according to a report by BBC Bangla. The incident took place in Bhaluka Upazila, where the victim was first beaten to death and then subjected to further cruelty after his death. The attackers tied his body to a tree and set it on fire, turning the killing into a public act of violence meant to instill fear.

The victim has been identified as Dipu Chandra Das. The attack occurred on the night of 18th December, Thursday, in the Square Master Bari’s Dubalia Para neighbourhood. Dipu Das was living in the area as a tenant and earned his livelihood by working at a nearby clothing factory. What began as an accusation quickly escalated into a deadly assault carried out by a large crowd.

Bangladeshi authorities have confirmed the incident. However, despite the severity of the crime, police have not yet filed a formal case. Videos from the scene have since surfaced on social media, spreading rapidly and drawing widespread outrage. The footage shows a frenzied crowd attacking Dipu Das, while slogans of “Nare Takbir Allahu Akbar” can be heard in the background. Several individuals in the mob were seen recording the violence on their mobile phones as the killing unfolded.

Duty Officer Ripon Mia of the Bhaluka Police Station provided details of the events leading up to the murder. He said that Dipu Das was targeted after allegations that he had spoken disrespectfully about Prophet Muhammad. Describing the sequence of events, Ripon stated, “An angry crowd caught him around 9 pm Thursday over allegations that he made derogatory remarks about Prophet Muhammad. They beat him to death and later set fire to the body.”

According to the police, officers reached the location after receiving information about the attack and worked to bring the situation under control. By the time order was restored, Dipu Das was already dead. His body was later recovered and sent to the mortuary at Mymensingh Medical College Hospital for a postmortem examination. Ripon Mia added that the authorities are still trying to contact the victim’s family and said, “We are trying to locate his relatives. Legal action will be taken in accordance with the law once a case is filed.”

This killing comes at a time when Bangladesh has been witnessing a sharp rise in violence against its marginalised Hindu community. The situation has deteriorated further following the removal of Sheikh Hasina from power and her subsequent departure from the country. Attacks had briefly intensified after that political upheaval and have once again surged following the death of anti-India and jihadi political activist Sharif Osman Hadi.

Sharif Osman Hadi was shot on December 12 and later succumbed to his injuries on the night of December 18 while undergoing treatment in Singapore. His death has acted as a trigger for renewed unrest across the country. In several areas, Muslim extremist groups have taken to the streets, targeting media houses, diplomatic establishments including the Indian embassy, and members of the vulnerable Hindu minority.

The fallout from Hadi’s death was especially visible in Dhaka, where large-scale protests erupted. Masked gunmen had shot Hadi earlier in the month, and news of his death led to widespread violence in the capital. Buildings housing prominent newspapers such as Prothom Alo and the Daily Star were vandalised and set ablaze. Journalists working inside found themselves trapped as smoke filled the buildings, forcing emergency rescue operations.

During the chaos, Daily Star reporter Zyma Islam posted a desperate message online, writing, “I can't breathe anymore. There's too much smoke. I am inside. You are killing me,” highlighting the danger faced by journalists on duty. Firefighters managed to bring the fire at the Daily Star building under control around 1.40 am and rescued 27 employees. Reflecting on the gravity of the situation, consulting editor Kamal Ahmed told AFP, “For the first time in the newspaper's history, the publication had to be halted.”

Prothom Alo executive editor Sajjad Sharif also condemned the attack, calling it “an attack on freedom of the press, expression, dissent and diversity of opinion”. The violence has not gone unnoticed internationally. The Committee to Protect Journalists expressed alarm and urged Bangladeshi authorities to ensure the safety of journalists and bring those responsible to justice. More details on press freedom concerns can be found at the Committee to Protect Journalists website: https://cpj.org.

In India, the situation in Bangladesh was discussed by a parliamentary standing committee on external affairs. The committee described the situation as “complex and evolving” and highlighted ongoing attacks on minorities, media organisations, and intellectuals. In its report presented in Parliament, the panel noted, “The political events of August 2024 have created significant instability and uncertainty with incidents of violence, attacks and intimidation of minorities, tribal communities, media groups, intellectuals, journalists, academicians, etc., becoming the norm,” underlining the seriousness of the crisis.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs informed the committee that New Delhi remains concerned about rising extremism and repeated attacks on minorities in Bangladesh. At the same time, it continues to engage with the interim government in Dhaka while trying to protect bilateral relations from the impact of recent political developments. Bangladeshi police have launched a manhunt for those responsible for shooting Sharif Osman Hadi and have announced a reward for information leading to their arrest, as authorities struggle to restore law and order and reassure minorities about their safety.

Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall renamed in honour of Hadi

Amid ongoing protests on the Dhaka University campus following the death of Sharif Osman bin Hadi, organisers at Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall have renamed the facility ‘Shaheed Usman Hadi Hall’. Posters announcing the new name were put up outside the hall around midnight. Protest leaders said the renaming was carried out to honour Hadi and reflects the deep emotions surrounding his death.

As unrest continues across Bangladesh, concerns are also growing among foreign nationals. On Friday morning, the Indian High Commission issued an advisory urging members of the Indian community and Indian students in Bangladesh to avoid non-essential travel. In its notice, the High Commission advised Indian nationals to remain cautious, closely monitor local developments, and strictly follow instructions issued by local authorities.