On Friday, 19th December, a disturbing incident unfolded in Bangladesh when an aggressive Muslim mob attacked and vandalised the home of a Hindu journalist. The violence took place after protests broke out following the death of radical anti-India leader Osman Hadi. What began as demonstrations soon turned into chaos, with anger spilling over into targeted destruction.

The attack occurred in the Chirakandi area of Habiganj town, located in the Sylhet Division of Bangladesh. The house that was targeted belongs to Sushant Dasgupta, a Hindu journalist known for his work with the local daily newspaper Amar Habiganj. His identity and profession made his family an easy target during the unrest.

At the time of the incident, Sushant Dasgupta was not present in the country. He has been living in the United Kingdom since his release on bail. Earlier, in 2020, he had been arrested under Bangladesh’s Digital Security Act (DSA), a law that has often been criticised for being used against journalists. His arrest was widely described as arbitrary, forcing him to seek safety abroad.

Videos that later surfaced on social media showed the scale of the violence. A violent Muslim mob could be seen surrounding Sushant Dasgupta’s house, breaking parts of the structure and carrying out widespread vandalism. The visuals revealed the intensity of the attack and the complete lack of restraint shown by those involved.

According to journalist B Jahanara Nuri, the situation inside the house was extremely dangerous. She reported that the mother and sister of the Hindu journalist narrowly escaped during the targeted assault. Their survival came down to sheer luck, as the mob showed no regard for who might be harmed in the process.

Reacting to the incident, author Deep Halder highlighted the deeper reasons behind the attack. While sharing his thoughts on social media, he wrote:
“Sushanta Dasgupta is a Bangladeshi investigative journalist based in London. He has written on the financial frauds of Yunus and the targeted attacks on Hindus. This is the price his family still in Bangladesh has to pay!”

The attack on Sushant Dasgupta’s family home has raised serious concerns about the safety of journalists and religious minorities in Bangladesh. It also reflects how political unrest and radical influence can quickly turn into violence against vulnerable individuals, even when the intended target is no longer present in the country.

Sushanta Dasgupta is a Bangladeshi investigative journalist and human rights advocate currently based in London, United Kingdom. He is known for his critical reporting on political affairs, religious minority rights, and corruption within Bangladesh.

Key Aspects of His Work & Profile

• Investigative Journalism & Activism: Dasgupta is a vocal critic of fundamentalism and state-sponsored violence in Bangladesh. He frequently reports on the persecution of religious minorities, particularly Hindus, and has been actively involved in highlighting these issues on international platforms.

• Legal Challenges & Exile: Due to his hardline reporting and criticism of the Bangladeshi government, he has faced significant legal challenges. He was previously arrested and detained in Bangladesh under the Digital Security Act, a law often criticized by international bodies for being used to gag press freedom. He now operates from exile in London to evade persecution.

• Current Commentary: In the wake of the political changes in Bangladesh (such as the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus), Dasgupta has expressed strong concerns regarding the rise of militant Islamist factions and the safety of minorities, often appearing in Indian and international media to discuss these topics.

• Online Presence: He is associated with online news portals and social media platforms where he disseminates his investigative findings, often focusing on subjects that mainstream Bangladeshi media may censor due to fear of reprisal.

Recent Media Appearance

Dasgupta recently appeared in news discussions highlighting the precarious situation of Hindus in Bangladesh under the current interim administration.

This video features Sushanta Dasgupta providing his analysis on the current political climate in Bangladesh and the specific threats facing minority communities.