Brutal lynching of Hindu man in Bangladesh sparks outrage amid unrest

On 18 December, in the Dubalia Para area of Square Master Bari in Bhaluka Upazila, Mymensingh district, a Hindu garment factory worker, Dipu Chandra Das, was brutally lynched by a mob following allegations of blasphemy. The man was beaten to death, his body tied to a tree and set on fire — acts that were captured on video and circulated on social media, fuelling outrage across Bangladesh and beyond.

The violence occurred against a backdrop of heightened unrest in Bangladesh, including protests and riots that erupted nationwide after the death of prominent activist Sharif Osman Hadi. The lynching has deepened concerns about communal tensions, the vulnerability of religious minorities and the Government’s ability to maintain law and order during prolonged instability.

Investigation

Police and investigative agencies say the crowd accused Das, a garment factory worker at Pioneer Knit Composite Factory, of making derogatory remarks about Islam, which is an allegation that has not been substantiated by evidence. Officials from Bangladesh’s Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) stated that no clear proof of blasphemy has emerged from the ongoing investigation, and that residents and colleagues could not identify any comments he made that would have constituted blasphemy.

Authorities have arrested at least 10 people so far in connection with the lynching, including factory supervisors alleged to have handed Das over to the mob rather than calling police for help. RAB officials have expressed concern that delayed police notifications and the aggressive crowd impeded timely intervention, undermining efforts to protect him.

According to police accounts, around 9 pm on the night of the incident, an agitated crowd attacked Das, beating him with locally available weapons before his body was tied to a tree on the Dhaka–Mymensingh highway and set on fire.

Legal proceedings

The interim government of Bangladesh, led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, issued a strong condemnation of the lynching, declaring that such violence has no place in the country and that those responsible “will not be spared”. Officials urged calm and encouraged citizens to resist mob violence that threatens communal harmony.

Local police have registered a murder case, and investigators are pursuing parallel inquiries alongside RAB to determine responsibility for the attack, including whether any prior enmity or provocation contributed to the events.

Communal tension

The lynching has reignited fears about rising attacks on religious minorities, particularly Hindus, in the context of political instability since the ouster of the previous government in 2024 and the ongoing wave of protests and unrest. Rights groups, community leaders and international observers have criticised the incident as part of a troubling pattern of communal violence that demands stronger protective measures.

The killing has also triggered protests beyond Bangladesh’s borders. Activists in Indian cities such as Agartala, Kolkata and Siliguri have held rallies condemning the lynching and demanding justice for Das. At the same time, some political voices have framed the incident as evidence of growing Muslim radicalisation that could have cross-border implications.

Security measures around diplomatic missions have been heightened in New Delhi, including near the Bangladesh embassy, as tensions resonate with diaspora communities and advocacy groups press for international attention to minority protections.

Enduring questions

Despite initial claims about blasphemy, security forces have emphasised that no direct evidence has emerged linking Das to any offensive remarks. Investigators have highlighted that the allegations were based on rumours that rapidly spread through social networks and were not supported by first-hand testimony.

Police accounts noting that Das may have been handed over to the mob by colleagues rather than being protected illustrate deeper concerns about emergency response, community tensions and the challenges law enforcement faces in rapidly escalating situations.

The lynching of Dipu Chandra Das has become a stark flashpoint in Bangladesh’s recent turmoil, raising urgent questions about communal harmony, the safety of minorities, and the effectiveness of government action in confronting mob violence amid broader political and social unrest.