A Delhi-based human rights watchdog, the Rights & Risks Analysis Group (RRAG), has alleged a series of targeted attacks against Hindu minorities in Bangladesh, including arson incidents and at least 17 killings since early December 2025, amid ongoing election-related unrest.
In a report released on Saturday, RRAG claimed that multiple incidents of violence took place between December 1, 2025 and January 31, 2026, affecting minority communities across several districts.
According to the report, homes, temples, and other properties belonging to at least 16 Hindus were set on fire during the two-month period. Seven of these incidents were reported within the past week alone.
The alleged attacks were concentrated in Mirsarai and Raozan in the Chittagong region, along with incidents in Pirojpur and Sylhet. RRAG stated that the Chittagong area recorded the highest number of arson cases.
The group listed several affected families and individuals whose houses were allegedly destroyed in the fires.
Allegations of deliberate targeting
RRAG Director Suhas Chakma said the incidents appeared to follow a deliberate pattern rather than being isolated events.
He alleged that fires were intentionally set at temples, residential buildings, and hay storage areas. In some cases, he claimed, houses belonging to Hindu and Buddhist families were secured from the outside before being set ablaze, suggesting an intent to trap occupants inside. He identified Mirsarai and Raozan as particularly affected pockets.
Claims of killings linked to violence
The report further alleged that at least 17 Hindu individuals were killed in targeted incidents between December 2, 2025 and January 23, 2026. It provided names and dates of the victims and described several of the killings as highly coordinated and deliberate attacks, including one case in which a victim died after a property fire broke out while he was asleep.
Dispute over motive behind incidents
RRAG criticised Bangladeshi authorities for rejecting a communal or religious motive behind the reported attacks. The report referred to earlier public remarks by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, who has stated that many incidents involving minorities were criminal in nature rather than driven by religious hatred, and that political affiliations may have played a role in certain cases.
Chakma argued that dismissing a religious angle may discourage victims from reporting crimes accurately and could embolden extremist elements. He said many affected families, fearing retaliation, describe such attacks as accidents or general criminal acts despite suffering severe losses. RRAG has called for greater official recognition of the alleged pattern of minority targeting and urged authorities to adopt stronger security and accountability measures to protect vulnerable communities during the election period.