In a disturbing escalation of violence against minorities in Bangladesh, two members of the Hindu community were brutally murdered in separate incidents on Monday night. This brings the death toll to at least six individuals from the minority community killed in recent weeks, sparking widespread fear and condemnation.
Two Brutal Murders in One Night
The first attack occurred in Jessore district, where Rana Pratap (45), a businessman and the acting editor of the daily BD Khabar, was shot dead. The incident took place at Kapalia Bazar around 5:45 pm on Monday. Rana Pratap was a prominent local journalist.
Just hours later, in a separate district, another Hindu man was targeted. Moni Chakraborty (40), a well-regarded grocery store owner, was hacked to death at Charsindhur Bazar in Narsingdi district around 11 pm. Police reports state that Moni was returning home after closing his shop when assailants attacked him with a sharp weapon. He collapsed on the spot and was rushed by locals to the Palash upazila health complex, where doctors declared him dead.
Official Response and Community Outcry
In a controversial statement a day after Rana Pratap's killing, the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government attempted to distance the murder from communal or professional motives. Foyez Ahammad, the senior assistant press secretary to the chief adviser, claimed that police had confirmed the victim was an accused in a murder case. The government stated the killing "cannot be linked to religion or journalism" and accused unnamed parties of spreading propaganda by using the victim's religious identity.
This official stance stands in stark contrast to the grief and anger in the local community. Traders from Charsindur Bazar formed a human chain, demanding the immediate identification and arrest of Moni Chakraborty's killers. His close friend, Rajendra Chohri, painted a picture of a beloved local figure, saying, "Moni was well regarded in the area and had no known disputes. He was such a good person that it's beyond imagination that he could have had any enemies."
A Pattern of Rising Communal Violence
These latest killings are part of a worrying surge in attacks against the Hindu community. The violence has intensified in the days following the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, an India-baiter and spokesperson for the Inqilab Moncho group, who was shot in Dhaka on December 12 and died on December 18.
The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Oikya Parishad has expressed deep concern over the situation. The organization reported that at least 51 incidents of communal violence have occurred since December. A breakdown of these incidents reveals a grim picture:
- 10 murders
- 4 arrests on false charges of religious insult and being Indian agents
- 1 attempted rape
- 3 cases of torture
Beyond the loss of life, houses belonging to minorities, particularly Hindus, have been targeted in districts including Chittagong and Pirojpur. The ongoing violence has created an atmosphere of insecurity for minority communities across the country, raising urgent questions about protection and justice.
