Thu Jan 01 13:43:56 UTC 2026: News Article:

Hindu Man Attacked, Set on Fire Amid Rising Violence Against Minorities in Bangladesh

Shariatpur, Bangladesh – A 50-year-old Hindu man, Khokon Das, was brutally attacked and set on fire in the Shariatpur district of Bangladesh on December 31st, marking the latest in a disturbing surge of violence targeting minorities in the country. Das was reportedly ambushed by a mob while returning home from his medical shop. The attackers stabbed him in the abdomen, beat him severely, doused him with petrol, and set him ablaze. Das survived by jumping into a nearby pond. He is currently receiving treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

“He was attacked when he was coming back home after closing his medical shop. The perpetrators stabbed him, hit him on the head and set him on fire. I don’t know who did this. We need justice. My husband is a simple man; he did not harm anyone. He did not hurt anyone, his wife said.

This incident is the fourth attack on a Hindu individual in Bangladesh in the past two weeks. On December 24th, Amrit Mondal, 29, was allegedly lynched by a mob. Days earlier, on December 18th, Dipu Chandra Das, 25, was brutally murdered and his body set on fire after being falsely accused of blasphemy by a coworker.

These incidents have sparked outrage both within Bangladesh and internationally, with human rights organizations condemning the escalating violence against minorities, including Hindus, Christians, and Buddhists.

The Muhammad Yunus-led interim government has faced criticism for its handling of the situation. While condemning the attacks, the government has downplayed any communal motivations, attributing the violence to extortion and criminal activities.

Ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has accused the Yunus government of failing to protect religious minorities and emboldening extremists, alleging that the regime has released convicted terrorists and placed questionable figures in positions of power.

India has expressed grave concern over the “unremitting hostility” against minorities in Bangladesh and affirmed that it is closely monitoring the developments. The Indian External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, recently visited Dhaka amidst strained relations between the two countries since the interim government came to power.

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