A 28-year-old Hindu auto-rickshaw driver was beaten to death in southeastern Bangladesh, marking the latest fatality in a continuing wave of violence targeting minority communities amid ongoing political unrest. The victim, identified as Samir Das, was attacked in the Daganbhuiyan area of Chittagong on the night of January 11, according to local reports. His death is the seventh reported killing of a Hindu individual since unrest intensified across the country in late December.
The current phase of violence began after the killing of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi on December 19, an incident that triggered widespread demonstrations and clashes in several regions. Since then, multiple attacks on Hindu individuals and businesses have been reported, raising alarm among civil society groups and neighboring countries about the safety of religious minorities in Bangladesh.
In recent weeks, a series of violent incidents has been documented across different districts. On December 18, Dipu Chandra Das was lynched and publicly burned in Mymensingh, an incident that shocked the nation. Six days later, Amrit Mandal, also known as Samrat, was killed in Rajbari district. On December 28, garment factory worker Bijendra Biswas was shot dead by a colleague in Mymensingh. The violence continued into the new year, with Hindu businessman Khokon Chandra Das being attacked, hacked, and set on fire in Shariatpur on December 31. He later succumbed to his injuries in hospital on January 3.
Additional incidents have further deepened concerns. On January 3, a Hindu woman was reportedly raped by two men in Jhenaidah district. Two days later, grocery shop owner Sarat Chakraborty Mani was hacked to death while closing his shop in Narsingdi. On January 11, Proloy Chaki, a Hindu politician and cultural activist, died while in custody, adding to the growing list of controversial deaths during the unrest. Last week, Rana Pratap Bairagi, a Hindu factory owner and acting newspaper editor, was shot dead in the Jashore district.
The violence has persisted despite assurances from the interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus, which has repeatedly stated that it is committed to protecting citizens of all religious backgrounds and restoring law and order. Authorities have maintained that security forces are working to contain the situation, even as public confidence remains strained.
The unrest has been closely linked to the political climate following the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi, a prominent figure in the 2024 student uprising and a spokesperson for the radical platform Inqilab Mancha. His death sparked protests that included demonstrations outside Indian diplomatic missions, driven by his supporters’ anti-India and anti-government rhetoric.
Bangladesh is currently preparing for national elections scheduled for February. The political landscape remains volatile, with the Awami League boycotting the polls and key opposition figures returning to the country to lead campaign efforts. The interim leadership has expressed confidence that the elections will proceed as planned and that stability will be restored.
India has repeatedly voiced concern over the recent attacks on minorities, urging stronger measures to ensure their safety. In response, Bangladeshi authorities have maintained that internal matters are being addressed and have called on external parties to focus on their own domestic challenges. As tensions continue, the situation remains under close regional and international scrutiny, with minority safety emerging as a critical issue ahead of the elections.
