In the name of election violence, the Hindu minorities are facing targeted violence specially arson and murder from the majority Islamist forces in Bangladesh. The houses, temples and assets of at least 16 Hindus were burnt in Mirsarai, Raozan, Pirojpur, and Sylhet from 1 December 2025 to 31st January 2026. Fires were deliberately set on temple, residential homes, and haystacks. The doors of Hindu and Buddhist homes were locked from the outside before being set on fire. The aim was to brunt them alive. The Chittagong region has witnessed the maximum number of arson on the Hindu minorities in Mirsarai and Raozan.
The Hindu minorities whose houses were set ablaze include Tapan Dhar, late Amio Dhar, Kanu Nath, Amio Dhar, Ashok Dhar, Anup Dhar and Mridul Saha from Mirsarai under Chittagong; Sukh Shil, Anil Shil, Bimal Talukdar, Rubel Das, Sadhan Barua, Sona Pal and Kamini Mohan Pal from Raozan under Chittagong, one Saha in Pirojpur and Bikash Ranjan Deb in Sylhet.
In the heightened violence, at least 17 Hindu minorities were murdered in targeted violence from 31st December 2025 to 1 January 2026. The minority Hindus murdered are Chanchal Chandra Bhowmik on 23 January 2026, Samir Das and Prolay Chaki on 11 January 2026; Joy Mohapatra on 10 January 2026; Mithun Sarkar and Sarat Mani Chakraborty on 6 January 2026; Rana Pratap Bairagi on 5 January 2026; Khokon Chandra Das on 31 December 2025; Bajendra Biswas on 29 December 2025; Amrit Mondal on 24 December 2025; Dipu Chandra Das on 18 December 2025; Shanto Chandra Das on 12 December 2025; Jogesh Chandra Roy & Suborna Roy on 7 December 2025; and Prantosh Kormokar and Utpol Sarkar on 2 December 2025.
Earlier a number of murders were committed in a Taliban style by slitting the throats, such as, of Rana Pratap Bairagi,[1] Shanto Chandra Das,[2] Jogesh Chandra Roy and Suborna Roy,[3] while Chanchal Chandra Bhowmik was murdered after setting on fire on the garage where he was staying.
The Bangladeshi authorities starting from Chief Advisor Dr Muhammad Yunus repeatedly dismissed any religious angle to these attacks on the Hindu minorities. In September 2024, Chief Advisor Dr Muhammad Yunus had stated that since there was a perception that most Hindus supported the deposed Awami League government, led by Sheikh Hasina and those who were with them (Hindus) also faced attacks.[4] Further, on 19 January 2026, Chief Advisor Dr Muhammad Yunus had stated that from January to December 2025 there were about 645 incidents involving members of minority communities but “the overwhelming majority of cases were criminal in nature rather than communal”.[5]
This denial has emboldened the religious fundamentalists. The victims out of fear of reprisal often described the targeted burning down of the houses as “accidents or foul play” despite attempt to burn them alive to death or being made destitute after burning all their assets and belonging.
As the campaigns picks up for the elections to be held on 12 February 2026, the Hindu and other minorities are all expected to face more organised atrocities from the majority Muslims. Elections are being used as an excuse to target the religious minorities.
I. At least 16 Hindu minority houses set on fire
In Mirsarai under Chittagong, houses of seven Hindus (Tapan Dhar, late Amio Dhar, Kanu Nath, Amio Dhar, Ashok Dhar, Anup Dhar and Mridul Saha) were burnt by the Islamists:[6]
- 23 January 2026: Hindu minority Tapan Dhar’s personal temple and other belonging were set on fire.
- 24 January 2026: A haystack at the late Amio Dhar’s house was set ablaze.
- 25 January 2026: Haystack at the houses of Kanu Nath and Amio Dhar were set on fire while Ratan Dhar’s kitchen too was set on fire.
- 26 January 2026: Ashok Dhar’s house was set on fire.
- 27 January 2026: Attempt was made to torch Anup Dhar’s residence.
- 29 January 2026: Mridul Saha’s house was set on fire when his wife, Tamalika Saha was alone.
In Raozan under Chittagong region, the houses of at least seven minority Hindus (Sukh Shil, Anil Shil, Bimal Talukdar, Rubel Das, Sadhan Barua, Sona Pal and Kamini Mohan Pal) were set on fire from 1 December 2025 as given below:
- On 23 December 2025, the houses of Sukh Shil and Anil Shil, residents of Raozan under Chittagong, were set on fire in the early hours of the morning. At that time, all the family members were asleep and the house was put on fire. The doors were locked from the outside before houses were set ablaze. As a result, seven houses were completely reduced to ashes one after another. Gold ornaments along with some cash inside the houses, all of which were reduced to ashes in the fire. Furniture was also completely destroyed. Speaking to a Bangladeshi media outlet, Anil Shil’s son, Mithun Shil, said that they tried to escape as soon as they realized the fire had broken out. However, both doors had been hooked shut from outside. Eventually, they managed to escape by cutting through the bamboo fencing.[7]
- On 20 December 2025, residential houses belonging to two Hindu minorities, Bimal Talukdar and Rubel Das were set on fire in the Dheuyapara area of Ward No. 8 of the Raozan municipality. When residents realized that a fire had broken out and the victims attempted to leave their homes, they found that the doors had been locked from the outside using clothes. Kerosene-soaked cloth was reportedly found lying in the courtyard.[8]
- In the early hours of 19 December 2025, the houses of Buddhist minority Sadhan Barua in Ward No. 7 of Keutia and Sona Pal and Kamini Mohan Pal in Ward No. 9 were set ablaze.
In Pirojpur, on 27 December 2025, miscreants set fire the houses of a Hindu minority at Dumritola village, Pirojpur, Bangladesh. Fires were set to several rooms of the house, and all the belongings inside were reduced to ashes.[9]
In Sylhet district, on 16 January 2026, alleged extremists targeted the home of a Hindu teacher Bikash Ranjan Deb and reduced the house to ashes, causing an estimated loss of 5 million Bangladeshi Taka. The victim told authorities he has no enemies and lives in harmony with his Muslim neighbours.[10]
As the officials including Chief Advisor Dr Muhammad Yunus dismiss any religious angle with respect to the attacks on the Hindu minorities, the victims still have to reside in the areas without any protection, they are often forced to dismiss the targeted attacks as “accidents, foul play” despite attempt to burn them to death or loss of all the assets.
II. About 17 Hindus murdered since 1 December 2025
At least 17 Hindus were murdered in targeted violence from 31st December 2025 to 1 January 2026. The minority Hindus murdered are Chanchal Chandra Bhowmik on 23 January 2026, Samir Das and Prolay Chaki on 11 January 2026; Joy Mohapatra on 10 January 2026; Mithun Sarkar and Sarat Mani Chakraborty on 6 January 2026; Rana Pratap Bairagi on 5 January 2026; Khokon Chandra Das on 31 December 2025; Bajendra Biswas on 29 December 2025; Amrit Mondal on 24 December 2025; Dipu Chandra Das on 18 December 2025; Shanto Chandra Das on 12 December 2025; Jogesh Chandra Roy & Suborna Roy on 7 December 2025; and Prantosh Kormokar and Utpol Sarkar on 2 December 2025.
Earlier a number of murders were committed in a Taliban style by slitting the throats, such as, of Rana Pratap Bairagi,[11] Shanto Chandra Das,[12] Jogesh Chandra Roy and Suborna Roy,[13] while Chanchal Chandra Bhowmik was murdered after setting on fire on the garage where he was staying.
Case 1: Chanchal Chandra Bhowmik, 23 January 2026
Chanchal Chandra Bhowmik (23), a resident of Cumilla who worked at a garage in the Khanabari Masjid Market area in Narsingdi, approximately 50 km from Dhaka was burned to death inside a garage. During the night while Chanchal was sleeping inside the garage after work, unidentified miscreants allegedly set the building on fire. Due to the presence of petrol and engine oil, the fire spread instantly, causing Chanchal to die from suffocation and burns. It was premeditated murder. While CCTV footage reportedly showed individuals starting the fire.[14]
Case 2: Murder of Liton Chandra Das, 17 January 2026
On 17 January 2026, a Hindu businessman, Liton Chandra Das, was beaten to death in Bangladesh’s Gazipur by three members of a family following a dispute over bananas. The deceased, Liton Chandra Ghosh (55) was the owner of ‘Baishakhi Sweetmeat and Hotel’. The Police had detained three suspects Swapan Mia, his wife Majeda Khatun, and their son Masum Mia.[15] Who is Liton Chandra Das? Hindu shop owner beaten to death with shovel in Bangladesh over customer dispute, Money Control, 18 January 2026
Case 3: Samir Das, 11 January 2026
In the evening of 11 January 2026, a Hindu minority identified as Samir Das (28 years), an auto driver was beaten and stabbed to death in Daganbhuiyan, Feni under Chittagong region. A group of attackers thrashed and stabbed him before fleeing the scene with his battery-operated auto-rickshaw, his only source of income.[16]
Case 4: Prolay Chaki, 11 January 2026
On 11 January 2026, a Hindu minority Prolay Chaki died in prison. He was a musician and cultural affairs secretary of the Awami League’s Pabna district unit. He was arrested from his residence in Pabna on 16 December 2025 in connection with a case linked to an alleged explosion during the 2024 anti-discrimination student movement that led to the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.[17]
Case 5: Joy Mohapatra, 10 January 2026
On 10 January 2026, Joy Mohapatra (25), a Hindu minority was allegedly beaten up, subsequently forced to consume poison and later succumbed at MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital in Sylhet district. Joy Mohapatra had left home after being called out by an acquaintance. He was then assaulted, and his mobile phone was snatched. It was alleged that Amirul Islam had called Joy Mohapatra and forced him to consume poison.[18]
Case 6: Mithun Sarkar, 6 January 2026
On 6 January 2026, a Hindu minority, Mithun Sarkar (25), died after jumping into a canal while trying to escape a mob of the Muslim majority that accused him of theft. As the mob chased him, he jumped into a pond and died.[19]
Case 7: Sarat Mani Chakraborty, 6 January 2026
On 6 January 2026, a Hindu minority grocery shop owner, Sarat Mani Chakraborty, was stabbed to death right in front of his house.[20]
Case 8: Rana Pratap Bairagi (38), 5 January 2026
On 5 January 2026, a Hindu minority, Rana Pratap Bairagi (38), son of Tushar Kanti Bairagi of Arua village in Keshabpur upazila, Jashore was shot in the head and thereafter, his throat slit by unidentified men. He was an editor of ‘Dainik BD Khobor’ published from Narail and an ice factory owner. He was lured out and killed in public in Monirampur upazila of Jashore.[21]
Case 9: Khokon Chandra Das (50), 31 December 2025
Khokon Chandra Das, son of Paresh Chandra Das from Tilai village in Damudya Upazila, Shariatpur District ran a pharmacy and mobile banking business in the Keurbhanga market. On 31 December 2025, while returning home from the market, he was hacked and set on fire with petrol in the Tilai area of Koneshwar Union. On 3 January 2026, he passed away while undergoing treatment at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka. The police arrested three accused who reportedly confessed their involvement in the crime.[22]
Case 10: Bajendra Biswas, 29 December 2025
On 29 December 2025, a garment worker Noman Mia shot dead his Hindu minority colleague Bajendra Biswas (40) without any provocation. Both used to work at Sultana Sweaters Limited under Meherbari Upazila, Bhaluka, Mymensingh. Without provocation, Noman Mia who was sitting near Bajendra Biswas said, “I’ll shoot you”, and then he opened fire. The accused Noman Mia was arrested.[23]
Case 11: Amrit Mondal, 24 December 2025
On 24 December 2025, a Hindu minority, Amrit Mondol, also known as Samrat (29), was beaten to death at the Hosen Danga Old Market area under Pangsha Upazila of Rajbari over allegations of extortion. While the police claimed it was related to extortion, the family members cited communal targeting.[24]
Case 12: Dipu Chandra Das (25), 18 December 2025
On 18 December 2025, a Hindu minority, Dipu Chandra Das was brutally lynched by a mob and set on fire over unproven allegations of blasphemy at Mymensingh’s Bhaluka upazila. He was an employee of Pioneer Knitwears. Eyewitnesses stated the attackers took Dipu out of the factory and locals also joined them, killing him on the spot. They also set the body on fire, leaving it partially burnt. The police had arrested 21 people including prime accused Imam Yasin Arafat, who worked as an imam at a mosque in the Sheikhbari area, in connection with the murder of Dipu Chandra Das and nine of them have given confessional statements before a court.[25]
Case 13: Shanto Chandra Das (18), 12 December 2025
On 12 December 2025, a Hindu minority, Shanta Chandra Das (18), son of Arun Chandra Das from Bijoynagar village in Homna Upazila, Cumilla was murdered with his throat slit in a cornfield when he went out with their own auto rickshaw. After murder, the auto rickshaw was taken away by the murderers.[26]
Case 14: Jogesh Chandra Roy & Suborna Roy, 7 December 2025
On 7 December 2025, an elderly Hindu minority 1971 war veteran, Jogesh Chandra Roy (75) and his wife Suborna Roy (60) were found murdered with their throats slit in their home at Taraganj, Rangpur district. Sub-Inspector Abu Chaiyum of Taraganj police station stated that preliminary findings suggested the couple was killed by hitting on their heads. The Police arrested prime accused, Morsalin, a mason’s assistant on 12 December 2025.[27]
Case 15: Prantosh Kormokar (42), 2 December 2025
On 2 December 2025, a Hindu minority, Prantosh Karmakar (42), son of Sadhan Sarkar of Dighaliakandi village under Banshgari Union in Raipura Upazila owned a jewellery shop at the local market. He was called out from his home and shot in the chest at a school playground around 8:00 pm on 2 December 2025. After hearing the gun shots, family members rushed out and quickly rescued him. He was taken to Raipura Upazila Health Complex. The hospital doctor advised him to be taken to Narsingdi Sadar Hospital where he was declared dead.[28]
Case 16: Utpol Sarkar, 2 December 2025
On 2 December 2025, Utpal Sarkar, 35, of Ronkoil
village under Kanaipur Union in Faridpur Sadar was hacked to death in an open
field while travelling to a market. Like on every other day, Sarkar was on his
way to Muksudpur in Gopalganj to purchase fish and travelling in a
battery-powered van. Near the Kalitala bridge area in Gaurdia of Atghar Union
around 4:45 am, three to four unidentified robbers intercepted, blindfolded the
van driver, Firoz, with a gamchha (towel) at knifepoint and tied him to the
railing of the bridge. They then looted the money Utpal was carrying and hacked
him indiscriminately, killing him before fleeing the scene.[29]
[1]. Ice factory owner shot dead in Jashore, Prothom Alo,5 January 2026 https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/crime-and-law/q456p19dtt
[2]. Autorickshaw driver slaughtered to death, Dainik Janakanta, 12 December 2025,
https://www.dailyjanakantha.com/bangladesh/news/885482
[3]. Freedom fighter, wife found dead at their Rangpur home, Prothom Alo, 7 December 2025, https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/local-news/2tdarlbbot
[4]. Attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh not communal, issue ‘exaggerated’: Muhammad Yunus, The Hindu, 5 September 2024, https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/attacks-on-hindus-in-bangladesh-not-communal-issue-exaggerated-muhammad-yunus/article68608994.ece
[5]. Bangladesh says most incidents involving minorities in 2025 were non-communal, The Hindu 19 January 2026, https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/bangladesh-says-most-incidents-involving-minorities-in-2025-were-non-communal/article70524931.ece
[6].মিরসরাই, হিন্দুপাড়ায় এক সপ্তাহে ৭ স্থানে আগুন, Samakal, 31 January 2026,
[7]. Bangladesh News : হিংসা চলছেই ! চট্টগ্রামে বাইরে থেকে দরজা আটকে পরপর ৭ হিন্দু বাড়িতে আগুন, 23 December, https://bengali.abplive.com/news/bangladesh-news-hindu-family-houses-set-on-fire-at-chattogram-1162778
[8].হিন্দু বাড়িতে আগুন: চট্টগ্রামে আরও ৬ জন গ্রেপ্তার, BDNEWS24.com, 19 January 2026, https://bangla.bdnews24.com/ctg/6300fc0c865a
[9] . বাংলাদেশে হিন্দুদের উপর হামলা অব্যাহত, এবার পিরোজপুরে সাহাদের বাড়িতে আগুন ধরালো দুষ্কৃতীরা, Aajkaal, 29 December 2025, https://www.aajkaal.in/international/hindu-owned-house-torched-in-bangladeshs-pirojpur-183137
[10]. Fire breaks out at Hindu school teacher’s home in Bangladesh, 16 January 2026, The Tribune, https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/world/fire-breaks-out-at-hindu-school-teachers-home-in-bangladesh/
[11]. Ice factory owner shot dead in Jashore, Prothom Alo,5 January 2026 https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/crime-and-law/q456p19dtt
[12]. Autorickshaw driver slaughtered to death, Dainik Janakanta, 12 December 2025,
https://www.dailyjanakantha.com/bangladesh/news/885482
[13]. Freedom fighter, wife found dead at their Rangpur home, Prothom Alo, 7 December 2025, https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/local-news/2tdarlbbot
[14]. বাংলাদেশে ফের সংখ্যালঘু হিন্দু নিধন! ঘুমন্ত গ্যারাজ শ্রমিককে আগুনে পুড়িয়ে হত্যা নরসিংদীতে, The Wall.In, 25 January 2026, https://www.thewall.in/bangladesh/bangladesh-hindu-garage-worker-burnt-alive-narsingdi/tid/185099
[15]. Who is Liton Chandra Das? Hindu shop owner beaten to death with shovel in Bangladesh over customer dispute, Money Control, 18 January 2026, https://www.moneycontrol.com/world/who-is-liton-chandra-das-hindu-shop-owner-beaten-to-death-with-shovel-in-bangladesh-over-customer-dispute-article-13777377.html
[16].Hindus Unsafe In Bangladesh, Need Separate Voting Booths: Minority Bodies To Poll Panel, Pallavi Ghosh, 13 January 2026, https://www.news18.com/world/bangladesh-hindu-body-tells-ec-minorities-are-unsafe-to-vote-seeks-special-security-separate-booths-9826809.html
[17]. Hindu Leader Of Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League Dies In Bangladesh Police Custody, Family Says He Was Not Given Proper Medical Care, Swarajya, 13 January 2026, https://swarajyamag.com/news-brief/hindu-leader-of-sheikh-hasinas-awami-league-dies-in-bangladesh-police-custody-sparking-family-allegations
[18]. Hindu persecution shows no signs of stopping in Bangladesh, youth dies in Sunamganj, family alleges poisoning, Aajkaal, 10 January 2026, https://www.aajkaal.in/international/another-hindu-youth-tragically-died-in-bangaldesh-184609
[19].Chased Over Theft Suspicion, Bangladeshi Hindu Man Jumps Into Canal, Dies, NDTV, 6 January 2026, https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/chased-over-theft-suspicion-bangladeshi-hindu-man-jumps-into-canal-dies-10420480
[20]. Another Hindu man killed in Bangladesh, second such incident in 24 hours, The Hindustan Times, 6 January 2026, https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/another-hindu-man-sarat-chakraborty-mani-killed-in-bangladesh-second-such-incident-within-24-hours-101767669369592.html
[21]. Ice factory owner shot dead in Jashore, Prothom Alo,5 January 2026 https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/crime-and-law/q456p19dtt
[22]. Businessman hacked to death, burnt in Shariatpur while attempting to rob, Prothom Alo, 6 January 2026, https://www.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/district/0o07snvqak
[23]. Will shoot you and shot, RTV News, 30 December 2025, https://rtvonline.com/country/362304
[24]. Chief of Samrat Bahini beaten to death during ‘extortion’ at Rajbari, Prothom Alo,
25 December 2025, https://www.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/district/ce0hd5ujqf
[25]. Mob kills man over ‘hurting religious sentiments’, 19 December 2025, The Daily Star, https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/crime-justice/news/mob-kills-man-over-hurting-religious-sentiments-4062241
[26]. Autorickshaw driver slaughtered to death, Dainik Janakanta, 12 December 2025,
https://www.dailyjanakantha.com/bangladesh/news/885482
[27]. Freedom fighter, wife found dead at their Rangpur home, Prothom Alo, 7 December 2025, https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/local-news/2tdarlbbot
[28]. Jewelry merchant shot dead in Raipura’s Char area, Prothom Alo, 25 December 2025, https://www.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/district/z1w2y7yjk8
[29]. Trader killed in Faridpur, blindfolded van driver rescued, Prothom Alo, 05 Dec 2025, Shttps://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/crime-and-law/4fslvj9k41
