A Hindu businessman in Bangladesh narrowly escaped death after being brutally attacked and set on fire by a mob on December 31, underscoring growing fears over the safety of religious minorities in the country.

The victim, identified as Khokan Chandra (also referred to as Khokon Das), was returning home after closing his pharmacy shop in Keurbhanga Bazar when he was intercepted near the Tiloi area of Shariatpur district around 9 pm.

Beaten, Stabbed, Then Set on Fire

According to local accounts, the attackers assaulted Khokan with sharp weapons, beat him repeatedly and stabbed him before pouring petrol over his body and setting him ablaze. In a desperate attempt to survive, Khokan jumped into a nearby pond, extinguishing the flames. He was later rescued by locals and rushed to hospital, where he is undergoing treatment for serious burn injuries.

The statement said, “We observe that there are systematic attempts to portray isolated incidents of criminal acts as systematic persecution of Hindus and to maliciously use them to spread anti-Bangladesh sentiments in various parts of India. We see a selective and unwarranted bias in certain quarters, where isolated incidents are exaggerated, misrepresented, and publicised in order to incite ordinary Indians against Bangladesh, its diplomatic missions, and other establishments in India.”

Ousted PM of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina’s Statement

Ousted Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina said that the Yunus government “fails to protect religious minorities and allows extremists to dictate foreign policy”.

“This hostility is being manufactured by extremists who have been emboldened by the Yunus regime. These are the same actors who marched on the Indian Embassy and attacked our media offices, who attack minorities with impunity, and who forced me and my family to flee for our lives. Yunus has placed such figures in positions of power and released convicted terrorists from prison. India’s concerns about the safety of its personnel are justified, I am sorry to say. A responsible government would protect diplomatic missions and prosecute those who threaten them. Instead, Yunus grants immunity to hooligans and calls them warriors,” she added.

Fourth Attack on Hindus in Two Weeks

The incident is the fourth case of mob violence against Hindus in Bangladesh within the past two weeks, reflecting an alarming spike in attacks on the minority community. On December 24, 29-year-old Amrit Mondal was allegedly lynched by a mob in the Hossaindanga area of Kalimohar Union.

Just days earlier, on December 18, another Hindu youth, Dipu Chandra Das (25), was killed following false blasphemy allegations at a factory in Bhaluka Upazila of Mymensingh. After being beaten to death, his body was reportedly hung from a tree and set on fire.

Pattern of Violence and Fear

Beyond fatal attacks, several incidents involving arson and intimidation have been reported from different parts of Bangladesh, with Hindu homes and properties allegedly targeted. Rights groups warn that such repeated assaults are creating an atmosphere of fear among minority communities, many of whom accuse authorities of failing to provide adequate protection.

Political Reactions and Diplomatic Strain

India has expressed grave concern over what it describes as continued hostility toward minorities in Bangladesh, including Hindus, Christians and Buddhists. However, Dhaka has rejected claims of systematic persecution, stating that isolated criminal incidents are being exaggerated.

Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has sharply criticised the Yunus-led interim government, accusing it of emboldening extremists and failing to safeguard religious minorities.

Uncertain Road Ahead

The latest attack comes amid strained India-Bangladesh relations following recent political changes in Dhaka. As investigations continue into the Shariatpur attack, the repeated targeting of Hindus has intensified international scrutiny and raised pressing questions about law, order and minority protection in Bangladesh.

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