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Targeted violence against Hindus continues unabated in Bangladesh

Arson attack targets Sylhet temple; idols and scriptures reduced to ashes

Sylhet, Bangladesh – In a distressing incident in the early hours of Sunday, February 15, unidentified miscreants set fire to the Shri Shri Gour Nitai Temple located in the Tarapur Tea Garden area of Sylhet Sadar Upazila. The fire caused extensive damage to the temple’s interior. According to temple caretaker Mala Mudi, the blaze was first noticed by a nearby shopkeeper who saw smoke billowing from the structure. Local residents quickly gathered to combat the flames, but the fire had already spread rapidly.

The arson attack resulted in the desecration and destruction of several religious items, including idols of Shri Krishna, Radha-Krishna, Panchatattva, Bhagwan Narasimha, and Shri Jagannath. In addition to the sacred idols, copies of the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita, puja garments, and curtains were also destroyed. The temple’s interior was left severely charred by the blaze.

The incident has caused deep concern among the local community, as the temple serves as a central place of worship for the tea garden workers and residents of the area.

Hindu tea garden worker murdered in Moulvibazar 

February 13, 2026

AI generated image

Moulvibazar, Bangladesh – A 28-year-old man named Ratan Shuvo Kar was found dead with his hands and feet tied in Moulvibazar district, on 11 February 2026, the day before the national elections.

Ratan Kar was working at the Champara tea estate in Islampur Union. The body was discovered early in the morning by workers at the Tea Garden, who immediately informed the police. There were multiple injury marks on his body, and his body was covered in blood.

Ratan’s elder brother, Lakshman Kar, stated that Ratan had not returned home since the night of 10 February. The family searched for him throughout the night. In the morning, they received information that his body had been found in the tea estate. The family said they do not know the reason for the murder.

Human rights organisations have expressed concern over the recurring incidents. According to the organisation ‘Human Rights Support Society’, at least 195 people have been killed and 11,229 injured in political violence in Bangladesh over the past 17 months.

62-year-old Hindu trader Sushen Chandra Sarkar hacked to death in Mymensingh

February 11, 2026

Myemensingh, Bangladesh – In the Mymensingh district of Bangladesh, a 62-year-old Hindu businessman named Sushen Chandra Sarkar was murdered on the night of 9 February by unknown attackers.

Sushen Chandra Sarkar was a grain trader and lived in Dakinkanda village. He ran a shop called “Bhai Bhai Enterprise” at Bogar Bazar crossroads. At around 11 pm, unidentified assailants attacked him with a sharp weapon and then locked him inside the shop and pulled down the shutter.
When his family went to look for him, they found him covered in blood inside the shop.

Between December 2025 and January 2026, at least 17 Hindus have been killed.

Elderly Hindu man killed in Kurigram land dispute 

January 30, 2026

Dhaka, Bangladesh – On 26 January, a 62-year-old man named Madhu Chandra Shil was killed by a neighbour following a land dispute in Joydeb Malsabari village, located in the Rajarhat sub-district of Kurigram.

A long-standing conflict regarding a land boundary had existed between Madhu Chandra Shil and the family of his neighbour, Abed Ali. The dispute escalated on 26 January, during which Madhu Chandra was reportedly shoved with significant force by Ali, resulting in his death.

The police have arrested Abed Ali in connection with the incident and are currently searching for other suspects involved in the case. 

Hindu youth burned alive in Narsingdi garage 

January 25, 2026 

Narsingdi, Bangladesh – In another horrifying incident of targeted violence against Hindus in Bangladesh, a 23-year-old youth named Chanchal Chandra Bhowmik was burned alive while sleeping inside a car repair workshop in Narsingdi. On the night of 23 January, unidentified attackers locked the garage shutters from the outside and poured petrol into the garage before setting it ablaze. The fire spread rapidly due to the engine oil and flammable materials inside, leaving Chanchal with no way to escape. Witnesses described the act as a cold-blooded, premeditated murder, alleging that the culprits waited outside to ensure he could not get out before fleeing the scene.

Chanchal was the sole breadwinner for his family, working to support his widowed mother and a disabled elder brother. Known by his neighbours and employer as a simple and honest man with no personal enemies, his brutal killing has sent shockwaves through the local community. Locals believe that the attack was a targeted act of religious hatred, occurring amidst a rising tide of violence against the Hindu minority as the country approaches its national elections.

Six Hindu houses set ablaze across four Bangladesh cities

January 18, 2026

Six Hindu houses were burnt down in four cities of Bangladesh in the last two days. Five Hindus were injured in separate incidents in four cities, namely Jhalakathi, Lakshmipur, Sylhet and Chittagong, one of whom is in critical condition. This is the 13th incident of Hindu houses being set on fire in Bangladesh in a month.

Muslims set a Hindu Teacher’s house on fire in Sylhet, Bangladesh

The house of teacher Birendra Kumar Dey in Bahor village, Gowainghat has been set on fire. Muslims first attacked his house and then set it on fire. He was known as ‘Jhunu Sir’ in the area. The fire has caused huge  damage to the property. Fortunately, the members of the family could safely leave the house at the time of attack. Nobody has been arrested in this case so far.

Hindu auto-rickshaw driver Samir Kumar Das killed

13th Killing in 42 Days 

January 13, 2026

Feni, Bangladesh – Another Hindu youth has been killed in Bangladesh, marking the 13th such incident in the last 42 days. In Feni district, 28-year-old auto-rickshaw driver Samir Kumar Das was beaten and stabbed by unknown assailants. His blood-soaked body was found by locals near a hospital. His auto-rickshaw was missing from the spot. So far, no arrests have been made in the case. 

Family members of the victim said he had been supporting his household by driving the auto-rickshaw for several years and have demanded a thorough investigation and swift justice.

The incident marks the 13th such incident in the last 42 days, amid growing concern over the safety of religious minorities in Bangladesh.

January 12, 2026

Hindu singer dies in judicial custody after denial of timely medical treatment

Dhaka, Bangladesh – In yet another disturbing case exposing the plight of Hindus in Bangladesh, renowned Hindu singer, Proloy Chaki has died after being denied timely medical treatment while in judicial custody. He passed away on the night of 11 January at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital. Chaki had been lodged in Pabna District Jail and was hospitalised after suffering a suspected heart attack on 9 January. His family claims that delays and inadequate medical care contributed to his death. 

Chaki was the District Cultural Affairs Secretary of the Awami League in Pabna and a renowned singer. He was arrested on 16 December 2025 on fabricated charges in a case related to an attack on demonstrators and was subsequently sent to Pabna District Jail. According to his family, when his condition deteriorated, he was first taken to a hospital that lacked cardiac treatment facilities. He was then reportedly returned to jail before being transferred to Rajshahi for advanced treatment, a delay that worsened his condition.

The authorities have denied any negligence, stating that Chaki had multiple pre-existing health conditions and that medical treatment was initiated promptly.

However, Chaki’s son alleged that despite his father’s known heart condition, he was denied timely coronary care and remained in a prison cell without adequate treatment as his condition worsened. He also claimed that the family was not informed in time about the seriousness of his father’s illness.

January 10, 2026

Killings continue in Bangladesh: Hindu youth beaten and poisoned to death 

Joy Mohapatra killed over mobile phone instalment dispute. 

Sunamganj, Bangladesh — In yet another incident of brutality, a Hindu youth, Joy Mahapatra, was killed in Bangladesh. On the pretext of a delayed instalment payment for a mobile phone purchase, he was first beaten mercilessly until he was critically injured, and then killed by being forced to consume poison. 

Joy’s family has called it “a planned murder” and has levelled allegations against a man named Amirul Islam. They state that Amirul first brutally thrashed Joy and then administered poison. This killing is yet another name in a string of killings of Hindu youths over the last 20 days. As his condition deteriorated, Mahapatra was admitted to the Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital, where he passed away while undergoing treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). 

January 7, 2026

Another Hindu youth killed in Bangladesh 

25-year-old Mithun Sarkar jumps into canal after being chased by a mob. 

Naogaon, Bangladesh –  A 25-year-old Hindu youth died after jumping into a canal in Bangladesh’s Naogaon district. The incident took place on the afternoon of 7th January. According to reports, the deceased has been identified as Mithun Sarkar, a resident of Bhandarpur village.

Local police said that some people accused Mithun of theft in the Hat Chakgouri market area and chased him. While trying to escape the mob, he jumped into a nearby canal and went missing.

Later, local residents informed the police. The police and fire service teams launched a rescue operation. After about four hours, Mithun’s body was recovered from the canal with the help of divers.

After preliminary investigation, the body was sent to the General Hospital for post-mortem examination.  

January 7, 2026

Two more Hindus killed in 24 hours as attacks on Hindus continue in Bangladesh

Dhaka, Bangladesh – The situation in Bangladesh continues to be critical, with reports of targeted violence against the Hindu minority escalating. Within a 24-hour window, two Hindu men were murdered, and a Hindu widow was subjected to a brutal gang rape. Furthermore, a Hindu female District Magistrate has faced threats and intimidation from political extremists. 

Recent Incidents of Violence 

Murder of shopkeeper Sharot Chakraborty Mani

Narsingdi – On 5th January, 40-year-old Sharot Chakraborty Mani, a grocery shop owner in the Charsindur Bazaar, was fatally attacked with sharp weapons by unidentified assailants. He succumbed to his injuries while being transported to the hospital. Notably, on December 19, Mani had expressed concern on Facebook regarding the rising violence in the country, describing his local area as a “valley of death.” 

Murder of factory owner Rana Pratap Bairagi 

In the Jessore district, Rana Pratap Bairagi was shot dead at close range. Bairagi was an ice factory owner and the executive editor of the newspaper BD Khabar. Three suspects on a motorcycle lured him from his factory into a nearby alley before shooting him in the head. The motive for the killing remains under investigation. 

Hindu widow gang-raped, tied to a tree and brutally assaulted

In another shocking incident, a 44-year-old Hindu widow was gang-raped in the Kaliganj area of Jhenaidah district. According to police and local residents, two men forcibly entered her house on the evening of 3 January.

At the time of the attack, two male relatives of the woman were present in the house. The attackers locked the relatives in one room and dragged the woman into another room, where she was raped.

After the assault, the attackers forced the woman and her relatives out of the house, tied them to a tree, beat them severely, cut the woman’s hair, and falsely accused them of engaging in obscene acts. The entire incident was filmed on a mobile phone.

Police later arrested one of the accused, identified as Hasan, a resident of the same area. The main accused, Shahin, and others remain absconding.

According to investigators, the woman had purchased a house and land in the village approximately two years ago. Since the purchase, Shahin had allegedly been harassing her and demanding money. 

Threats against District Magistrate Annapurna Debnath 

Tensions have also reached the administrative level in Kurigram. District Magistrate Annapurna Debnath has faced intense protests and threats after she rejected the nomination of Barrister Salehi, a candidate for the Jamaat-e-Islami party, for the upcoming February 12 elections.

The nomination was cancelled because Salehi holds dual citizenship.

Salehi’s supporters demonstrated outside the DM’s office, using derogatory language and demanding her resignation. They threatened her, claiming she “could not stay there,” and leveled baseless accusations that she was affiliated with ISKCON and working in the interests of India.

January 4, 2026

Hindu beggar tied to a pillar and beaten on suspicion of theft.

The targeted violence against Hindus in Bangladesh shows no signs of stopping. A mob tied a Hindu beggar to a pillar and thrashed him on the suspicion of theft. The victim has been identified as Suman, whose condition remains critical. On Friday, in Tongi, Gazipur, a mob beat Suman on suspicion of theft. He was then tied to a pillar, after which people continued to assault him.

The police have registered a case, while the victim, Suman, remains in hospital in a serious condition. According to the police, Suman is a beggar. He has no prior record of any criminal activity, including theft. He was only able to provide his first name, Suman, and his full identity is yet to be established because his condition is critical. Based on his initial name and identity, he is a Hindu living on the streets in Bangladesh, who was surviving by begging.

January 2, 2026

Jihadis pour petrol on Khokon Chandra Das and set him on fire; condition critical

50-year-old Khokan Chandra Das was returning home after closing his shop near Keurbhanga Bazar in the Damudya area of Shariatpur district, when jihadis stopped his auto and attacked him. The jihadis beat him brutally, attacked him with sharp weapons, then poured petrol on him and set him on fire. To save his life, he jumped into a roadside pond, after which locals raised an alarm, and rushed him to Shariatpur Sadar Hospital. From there he was referred to Dhaka as his condition is critical. 

December 31, 2025

Another Hindu killed in Bangladesh as colleague opens fire 

Brijendra Biswas from Mymensingh district shot dead by colleague

Bangladesh – Incidents of violence against Hindus in Bangladesh show no signs of abating. Under the watch of the Yunus administration, another Hindu individual has been murdered. The incident took place on 29 December in the Mymensingh district, where a resident named Brijendra Biswas was shot dead. 

Read More | Sign Petition : SAVE BANGLADESHI HINDUS

Brijendra Biswas was a member of ‘Ansar’, Bangladesh’s rural paramilitary auxiliary force. He was deployed on security duty at a garment factory. According to Bangladeshi media, the Sultana Sweaters Limited factory is located in the Mehrabari area of the Bhaluka sub-district. Twenty members of the Ansar force had been stationed there for the factory’s security, including Brijendra.

On Monday evening at around 6:30 pm, Brijendra Biswas was sitting with his colleague Noman Mia when Noman suddenly opened fire on him with his service weapon. The bullet struck Brijendra in the left thigh. He suffered severe blood loss and was rushed to hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

Mohammad Azhar Ali, the Ansar member-in-charge (APC) for the Labib Group, stated that there was no apparent dispute between the two men at the time of the incident. He said they were all seated in the room when Noman suddenly aimed his shotgun at Brijendra’s thigh, shouted, “I will shoot you,” then pulled the trigger and fled the scene. Police have since arrested Noman Mia. 

This follows a horrific event in the same district on 18 December, in which a jihadi mob lynched a Hindu youth named Dipu Chandra Das.

A week later, another Hindu, Amrit Mondal was murdered by a mob accusing him of extortion. 

Read more on Atrocities on Hindus in Bangladesh

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