A Hindu man was lynched and burned alive in Bangladesh’s Mymensingh district over alleged religious remarks, sparking outrage over rising minority violence, mob justice, radicalism, and worsening security conditions under the interim government.
In a deeply disturbing incident highlighting the growing insecurity faced by religious minorities in Bangladesh, a Hindu man was brutally lynched by a mob and his body was set on fire in Bhaluka Upazila of Mymensingh district. The killing, reportedly triggered by allegations of insulting Islam, has intensified concerns over mob violence, religious extremism, and the deteriorating law-and-order situation in the country.
The incident occurred on Thursday night at the Pioneer Knit Composite Factory located in the Square Masterbari area of Bhaluka. The victim, identified as 30-year-old Dipu Chandra Das, was an employee at the factory and a resident of Tarakanda Upazila in Mymensingh district. According to local media reports and eyewitness accounts, the violence unfolded rapidly following allegations made against him during a factory event.
Citing eyewitnesses, local media outlet Barta Bazar reported that Dipu Chandra Das was accused of making derogatory remarks about Islam and Prophet Muhammad during a programme organized at the factory to observe World Arabic Language Day. The allegations allegedly spread quickly among factory workers and nearby residents, leading to heightened tension within the premises.
What followed was a shocking display of mob violence. Dipu was reportedly attacked by a group of people inside the factory compound. He was beaten mercilessly and, according to reports, died on the spot due to the severity of the assault. Instead of alerting authorities or seeking medical assistance, the mob allegedly escalated the violence further even after his death.
Reports indicate that the attackers dragged Dipu’s body to the Square Masterbari bus stand area, where it was tied to a tree with a rope. Witnesses claimed that the mob continued to beat the lifeless body while shouting slogans, creating an atmosphere of fear and intimidation. The situation turned even more gruesome when the body was set on fire in full public view.
The violence did not end there. The mob later moved the body onto the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway and set it ablaze once again, forcing traffic to come to a standstill. The burning body on a major highway caused widespread panic among commuters and local residents, prompting authorities to temporarily halt traffic to prevent further chaos.
Confirming the incident, Bhaluka Upazila Executive Officer Md. Firoz Hossain stated that a person was killed following allegations of insulting the Prophet. He added that law enforcement agencies recovered the body and took it into police custody. An investigation has reportedly been initiated, although no immediate arrests were publicly confirmed at the time of reporting.
The incident has drawn sharp political and international reactions. Former Bangladesh Minister and Awami League leader Mohammad Ali Arafat strongly condemned the killing, warning that Bangladesh is moving dangerously toward widespread radicalism. He blamed the interim government led by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, alleging that extremist elements are becoming increasingly emboldened under the current administration.
The lynching comes amid mounting international scrutiny of Bangladesh’s internal security situation. Earlier this week, India’s Ministry of External Affairs summoned Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to India, Riaz Hamidullah, to express New Delhi’s serious concerns over the worsening security environment, particularly the targeting of minority communities.
Human rights organisations have repeatedly raised alarms over rising attacks against Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh. Reports of mob violence, vandalism of religious sites, targeted killings, and forced displacement have increased, drawing condemnation from global rights groups and minority advocacy organisations.
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Observers warn that the failure to hold perpetrators accountable and the growing influence of radical ideologies could further destabilize Bangladesh’s social fabric. The lynching of Dipu Chandra Das is being viewed not as an isolated incident, but as part of a troubling pattern of intolerance and impunity.
As calls for justice grow louder, activists stress the urgent need for decisive action by the authorities to protect minority rights, restore public trust in the rule of law, and prevent further acts of mob violence that threaten Bangladesh’s reputation and internal stability.
