A 25-year-old Hindu Man died today after jumping into a canal to escape a mob that suspected him of theft. The police recovered the body of the victim, identified as Mithun Sarkar from Bhandarpur village, on Tuesday afternoon.
This incident occurred amid a sharp rise in violence against religious minorities in the neighboring country as it prepares for its first parliamentary elections since the 2024 uprising that ousted the Sheikh Hasina government. Mithun Sarkar’s death is part of a troubling trend of brutal attacks reported in recent days.
Hindu Man dies by jump in Canal in Bangladesh
Yesterday, a Hindu businessman, who also served as the acting editor of a newspaper shot in the head by unidentified men in Jessore district of Bangladesh. On the same day, a 40-year-old Hindu grocery shop owner killed with a sharp weapon by unidentified attackers in Narsingdi city.
On January 3, Khokon Chandra Das, aged 50, died after a brutal attack where he set on fire near Keurbhanga Bazar in Damudya, Shariatpur district. These events follow a violent December.
Why crime on Hindus Increase?
On December 24, Amrit Mondal lynched over alleged extortion in Pangsha Upazila of Rajbari town. On December 18, Dipu Chandra Das, 25, faced a similar fate when a mob lynched him and set his body on fire over alleged blasphemy in Mymensingh city.
The increase in violence against religious minorities coincides with the country’s preparation for its first parliamentary elections since the mass uprising that removed Sheikh Hasina from power in 2024. Voting set for February 12.
The Council for Hindu, Buddhist, and Christian Unity issued a statement today, noting at least 51 targeted incidents in December alone, including 10 murders. The council reported cases of arson, rape, and looting, raising serious concerns that these atrocities are part of a coordinated effort to intimidate minorities ahead of the February 12 elections.
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