In yet another alarming case of minority persecution, a young Hindu man in Bangladesh’s Sunamganj district ended his life after savage mistreatment over a tiny unpaid installment. Nineteen-year-old Joy Mahapatra’s death has ignited outrage, spotlighting the perilous climate for Hindus in the nation.

The sequence of events began with Joy buying a phone on credit from shopkeeper Amirul Islam—5,500 taka total, with 2,000 paid in cash and the rest in weekly 500-taka payments. He was consistent until the last one, which he tried to pay Thursday. Instead of leniency, he faced fists, insults, and seizure of his device.

That evening, overwhelmed by shame and pain, Joy consumed poison. Taken first to a local clinic, his worsening state led to transfer to Sylhet’s top hospital, where he breathed his last Friday. Resident Medical Officer Moni Rani Talukdar verified the urgent referral due to critical condition.

Speaking to media, family members painted a picture of unrelenting harassment. ‘He went to pay, but they beat him and took his phone. He poisoned himself there,’ lamented his mother. Police have acknowledged the incident and are awaiting a complaint to proceed.

This is the fourth such outrage against Hindus this week, part of a wave claiming eight lives in 22 days. Experts warn that escalating attacks on minorities threaten Bangladesh’s social fabric, urging government crackdowns and community vigilance. Joy’s story is a stark reminder: no debt justifies such barbarity.