A horrific incident has shaken Bangladesh as Deepu Chandra Das, a Hindu man, was brutally lynched and set on fire in Bhaluka, Mymensingh district, on Thursday night. The alleged reason cited for the violence was a claim of blasphemy against Prophet Muhammad. A disturbing video of the event has surfaced online, intensifying concerns about minority safety.
Reports indicate that Das, who worked in a garment factory and resided in a rented dwelling, was confronted by a mob in the Dublia Para area. Without any apparent evidence or formal investigation, the enraged crowd subjected him to a fatal beating with sticks. Following the assault, his body was reportedly tied to a tree and ignited. Local police have confirmed the identity of the victim as Deepu Chandra Das.
This brutal killing has drawn strong condemnation from political parties. The West Bengal unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) denounced the act, drawing parallels to recent violence in Murshidabad, West Bengal, where two individuals were killed during protests. The BJP highlighted the incident as a grave example of unchecked religious extremism and the vulnerability of minority populations when protections are absent.
The incident occurred amidst a backdrop of nationwide unrest in Bangladesh, triggered by the death of student leader Sharif Usman Hadi. Protests have escalated, leading to vandalism and attacks on various establishments. These demonstrations, some directed at India, further complicate the volatile situation and underscore growing anxieties about communal harmony and the security of minority groups.