Bangladesh Violence: Hindu Trader Murdered, Sixth Minority Killing In 18 Days

Bangladesh has witnessed yet another brutal killing of a Hindu man, underscoring the alarming rise in targeted violence against the minority community. This marks the sixth fatal attack in just 18 days, intensifying concerns about safety and communal harmony in the country as it heads towards national elections.

On Monday night, Moni Chakraborty, a grocery trader, was attacked by unidentified assailants while running his shop at Charsindur Bazar in Narsingdi district, India Today reported. Witnesses said the attackers struck suddenly at the busy marketplace under Palash upazila. Despite efforts by locals to rush him to hospital, Chakraborty succumbed to his injuries either en route or shortly after admission.

Chakraborty, a resident of Sadharchar Union in Shibpur upazila and son of Madan Thakur, was described by fellow traders as a quiet, respected businessman with no known disputes. His killing in a public marketplace has sent shockwaves through the Hindu community, many of whom now say they feel unsafe even while carrying out routine activities such as shopping or running businesses.

Community members have demanded swift arrests and strict punishment for the perpetrators, warning that repeated attacks are eroding their sense of security.

Earlier the same evening, another Hindu man, Rana Pratap, 45, was shot dead in Jashore district. The incident occurred around 5:45 pm at Kopalia Bazar in Manirampur upazila. Eyewitnesses reported that unidentified gunmen opened fire on Pratap, leaving him fatally wounded with multiple bullet injuries. He died on the spot. Police rushed to the scene to restore order, with officer-in-charge Rajiullah Khan confirming that legal procedures, including post-mortem arrangements, were underway. Investigations have begun to identify and apprehend the attackers.

These two killings add to a disturbing series of violent incidents targeting Hindus in recent weeks. Victims include Dipu Chandra Das, a garment factory worker lynched during mob violence; Amrit Mondal, killed amid unrest; and Bajendra Biswas, shot dead in Mymensingh district. On December 31, Khokon Chandra Das, a businessman, was stabbed and set ablaze by a mob near Keurbhanga Bazar in Shariatpur district. He later died of severe burn injuries while undergoing treatment in Dhaka.

The spate of attacks has drawn attention from rights groups. The Manabadhikar Shongskriti Foundation (MSF), in its 2025 report, highlighted that Bangladesh's human rights situation was marred by political violence and mob attacks. According to MSF data, 599 incidents of political violence affected 5,604 people last year, with 86 killed and over 5,500 injured, including nearly 100 gunshot victims, The Print reported,

The timing of these attacks is particularly sensitive. Bangladesh is scheduled to hold polls in February under a caretaker administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, following the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in a student-led uprising in July 2024. The political volatility, combined with rising communal violence, has created a climate of fear and uncertainty for minorities, especially Hindus, who form a small but significant part of the country's population.