Second Hindu man lynched in Bangladesh, fears grow among minorities

The Islamic Republic of Bangladesh has witnessed two separate mob lynchings of Hindu men within a short span, triggering fear among minority communities and drawing reactions from India and beyond. While authorities insist typical Muslim motives do not link the incidents, the proximity in time and the brutality involved have intensified scrutiny of law and order and minority protection in the country.

The killings occurred in Pangsha in Rajbari district and in Bhaluka in Mymensingh, both involving mobs taking the law into their own hands.

Pangsha lynching, police deny communal angle

Amrit Mandal, also known as Samrat, was beaten to death by a mob in the Hossaindanga Old Market area of Pangsha late on Wednesday night. Police have described Mandal as a listed criminal and the leader of a local gang accused of extortion and violence.

According to the interim government, the lynching was driven by public anger over Mandal’s alleged criminal activities. Authorities have maintained that there was no communal motive behind the attack and have characterised it as an instance of vigilantism rather than targeted violence against a religious minority.

What blasphemy?

The Pangsha incident followed the lynching of Dipu Chandra Das, a factory worker, in Bhaluka, Mymensingh. Locals accused Das of making blasphemous remarks on social media, allegations that police later said were not supported by evidence.

A video of the incident circulated widely online, showing Das being beaten by a mob as he pleaded for mercy. His body was later tied to a tree and set on fire. The graphic footage prompted widespread outrage and renewed debate over mob violence and religious vigilantism.

Reactions from India, protests on streets

The killing of Dipu Chandra Das drew condemnation from Bollywood actor Janhvi Kapoor, who described the incident as “barbaric” and “inhumane” in a social media post. She urged people to speak out against extremism and criticised what she described as selective outrage over violence.

Hindu organisations and minority rights groups have since staged protests in Dhaka as well as in Indian cities, including Delhi and Kolkata, demanding accountability and stronger safeguards for minorities in Bangladesh.

Government response, arrests made

The interim government led by Muhammad Yunus has condemned both incidents, stating that there is “no space for such violence in the new Bangladesh”. In the Mymensingh case, police have confirmed that at least 12 people have been arrested and investigations are ongoing.

Officials say law enforcement agencies have been instructed to act firmly against mob violence, even as minority groups warn that repeated incidents risk creating a climate of fear, particularly in the aftermath of recent political unrest.

Concerns of mob justice

While authorities insist the two lynchings stem from different local triggers, the deaths have reignited concerns about mob justice, social media-fuelled accusations and the vulnerability of minorities. Rights groups argue that even when crimes are alleged, public punishment outside the legal process points to a deeper failure of enforcement and trust in institutions.

For Bangladesh’s minority communities, the incidents have underscored anxieties about safety, accountability and whether assurances from the state will translate into sustained protection on the ground.