Family of Brutally Murdered Garment Worker Votes in Bangladesh Election, Demands Justice
As Bangladesh transitions toward a new democratically-elected government, anticipated to be led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), a grieving family has cast their ballots with a singular, profound hope: securing justice for their murdered son. The family of 28-year-old Dipu Chandra Das, who was horrifically burnt alive on December 18 last year, participated in the electoral process, viewing it as a crucial step toward accountability.
A Vote Cast in Grief and Hope
On election day, all five eligible voters in the Das household exercised their franchise in the Mymensingh-2 constituency of Mymensingh district. Speaking to the media, his father, Rabi Chandra Das, articulated the family's painful resolve. "All five voters in our household—myself, Dipu's mother, his wife, his brother, and his aunt—we voted because we believe in the democratic values of this country," he stated. "Our hope now rests entirely on the new government delivering the justice we desperately need."
He confessed that while the family struggles to cope with an unimaginable loss, the trauma remains intensely raw. "The scars from this tragedy will remain forever etched in our hearts," Rabi Chandra Das added. "We simply pray that the newly formed administration will expedite the legal process and ensure justice for our son, who never deserved such a brutal fate."
A Horrific Attack That Shocked the Nation
Dipu Chandra Das, a garment factory worker, was killed in an attack of exceptional brutality that sent shockwaves across Bangladesh and internationally, especially after video footage of the assault circulated widely on social media platforms. The incident unfolded on the night of December 18 while Dipu was at work.
According to reports, two colleagues allegedly accused him of posting blasphemous content online. They assaulted him before handing him over to a waiting mob outside the factory. The crowd, estimated to be large, then subjected him to a vicious attack, beating him with canes and rods amid religious sloganeering. In a final act of cruelty, they hanged him from a tree at a nearby square and set his body ablaze. The assailants recorded and disseminated videos of the entire horrific episode.
Married just three years ago, Dipu is survived by his wife and their one-year-old daughter. He was the sole breadwinner for an extended family of eight members, making his loss both a personal tragedy and an economic catastrophe for his loved ones.
Political Outreach and a Brother's Quest for Accountability
Dipu's younger brother, 22-year-old Apu Chandra Das, who is the official complainant in the case—which names a mob of approximately 140 individuals—provided further insight. He revealed that during the election campaign, representatives from both the BNP and the Jamaat-e-Islami party visited their family home.
"They urged us to use our voting rights to strengthen democracy and assured us of their support whenever required," Apu recounted. While acknowledging the ongoing struggle with grief, he framed their electoral participation as a strategic move. "We see voting in this election as a necessary step toward ensuring accountability and achieving justice under the incoming government," he explained, highlighting the family's faith in the democratic process despite their profound suffering.
The family's poignant act of voting underscores a deep-seated belief in institutional redress. As Bangladesh awaits the formalization of its new government, the eyes of Dipu Chandra Das's family, and many observing this case, remain fixed on the promise of justice and the rule of law.
