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Houses of Hindu Family Set Ablaze in Bangladesh Amid Rising Concerns of Violence Against Minorities

Pirojpur, Bangladesh – At least five houses belonging to a Hindu family were destroyed in a fire in Dumritala village, Pirojpur district, Bangladesh, on December 28th. Authorities are investigating the incident, which occurred in a Muslim-majority area, as a potential targeted attack against the minority community.

The incident took place just over a week after 29-year-old Dipu Chandra Das, a garment worker, was lynched and his body set on fire in Mymensingh on December 18th following blasphemy allegations.

While the exact cause of the fire remains under investigation, reports suggest that attackers may have intentionally ignited the blaze. Eight members of two families were trapped inside their homes in the early hours of the morning after someone locked the door from the outside. The families managed to escape by breaking through tin and bamboo structures, but their homes and belongings were destroyed, and their pets were killed.

“The police are investigating the cause,” a member of the Saha family told NDTV, declining to be formally identified due to fear.

Local police have arrested five suspects. Mohammad Manzur Ahmed Siddiqui, Superintendent of Police, Pirojpur, assured the complainants that the incident would be investigated promptly.

The Human Rights Congress for Bangladesh Minorities (HRCBM) reports at least 71 incidents related to blasphemy allegations against Hindu minorities in Bangladesh between June and December of this year, highlighting the systemic vulnerability of minorities to such accusations. These allegations frequently lead to mob violence and police action.

The incident comes amid growing concerns about rising religious conservatism and anti-India sentiment in Bangladesh. Critics claim that radical groups are exploiting this sentiment to target minorities and push a radical Islamic agenda, particularly under the current interim government led by Muhammad Yunus, with general elections looming. There have also been other incidents recently, including the lynching of Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh and the killing of Amrit Mondal in Rajbari, raising concerns about the safety and security of minorities in Bangladesh.

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