In a chilling and brutal act of violence that has sent shockwaves across South Asia, Khokon Das, a 45-year-old Hindu businessman from Bangladesh’s Khulna district, has succumbed to his injuries three days after being set on fire by a mob. The attack—marked by its extreme cruelty—involved Das being waylaid, beaten with sharp weapons, doused in petrol, and then ignited while still alive . His death is not an isolated tragedy but the latest in a disturbing and escalating series of targeted assaults against Bangladesh’s Hindu minority community. This horrific incident underscores a deepening crisis of religious intolerance and mob vigilantism that threatens the nation’s social fabric and international reputation. The phrase ‘Hindu attacked in Bangladesh’ is becoming a grim, all-too-familiar headline.
Table of Contents
- The Khokon Das Attack: A Horrific Account
- A Disturbing Trend of Violence Against Hindus in Bangladesh
- Why Is This Happening? Root Causes of Anti-Hindu Violence
- Government Response and International Reaction
- The Plight of Bangladesh’s Hindu Minority: By the Numbers
- Conclusion: A Plea for Justice and Protection
- Sources
The Khokon Das Attack: A Horrific Account
According to local police and hospital reports, the attack on Khokon Das occurred on a quiet road near his home in Phultala upazila . Witnesses described a group of assailants confronting Das before launching a vicious assault. After beating him into submission with sharp objects, they poured petrol over his body and set him alight. He was rushed to Khulna Medical College Hospital with over 80% burns, where doctors fought to save him for three agonizing days before he passed away .
Police have since arrested several suspects, with early investigations pointing to a possible dispute over land as the motive . However, given the method of the attack—public, brutal, and designed to terrorize—the community fears a deeper, more sinister communal agenda may be at play.
A Disturbing Trend of Violence Against Hindus in Bangladesh
The death of Khokon Das is the latest entry in a long and tragic ledger of violence against Hindus in Bangladesh. In recent months alone, multiple incidents have been reported:
- In October 2025, a Hindu priest was hacked to death in a temple in Cumilla.
- In November 2025, a Hindu-owned factory was vandalized and set on fire in a coordinated mob attack.
- During Durga Puja in 2024, dozens of temples were desecrated and homes looted across several districts [[4], [5]].
These are not random acts of crime. They often follow a pattern: fueled by social media rumors, organized by local extremist groups, and executed with a clear intent to intimidate and displace the Hindu community. The Hindu attacked in Bangladesh narrative is part of a systematic campaign of fear that has been growing for years.
Why Is This Happening? Root Causes of Anti-Hindu Violence
Experts point to a confluence of factors driving this alarming trend:
- Land Grabbing: Hindu families, often perceived as economically vulnerable or less politically connected, are targeted so their property can be seized illegally.
- Religious Extremism: Radical Islamist groups exploit social tensions and use anti-Hindu rhetoric to gain local influence and power.
- Political Inaction: A perceived lack of swift and decisive action from local authorities emboldens perpetrators, creating a culture of impunity.
- Social Media Incitement: False rumors about blasphemy or insults to Islam are frequently spread online, triggering immediate and violent mob responses before facts can be verified.
This toxic mix creates a dangerous environment where minority communities live in constant fear.
Government Response and International Reaction
The Bangladeshi government has consistently condemned such attacks and promised investigations. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s administration has pointed to its record of protecting minority rights and prosecuting offenders . However, critics argue that while high-level statements are welcome, on-the-ground enforcement remains weak and inconsistent. Victims’ families often report police delays, biased investigations, or a lack of witness protection.
Internationally, the incident has drawn concern. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has repeatedly flagged Bangladesh for its deteriorating conditions for religious minorities . For deeper insights into global religious freedom trends, see the [INTERNAL_LINK:religious-freedom-index-2026].
The Plight of Bangladesh’s Hindu Minority: By the Numbers
Once comprising nearly 22% of the population at the time of Bangladesh’s independence in 1971, Hindus now make up less than 8%—a decline driven largely by decades of persecution and forced migration . According to human rights groups like Amnesty International, hundreds of Hindu families are forced to flee their homes every year due to threats and violence . This demographic erosion is not just a statistic; it’s the story of a community being slowly erased from its homeland.
Conclusion: A Plea for Justice and Protection
The death of Khokon Das is a stark and horrifying reminder of the existential threat facing Bangladesh’s Hindu minority. While the immediate perpetrators must be brought to justice, the larger battle is against the culture of impunity and intolerance that allows such violence to flourish. The phrase ‘Hindu attacked in Bangladesh’ should not be a recurring news alert. It should be a call to action—for the Bangladeshi state to enforce its own laws, for civil society to stand in solidarity, and for the international community to hold the nation accountable. Without decisive and sustained intervention, the cycle of violence will only continue.