Hindu Businessman Stabbed, Set Ablaze in B’desh; Survives by Leaping into Pond Amid Rising Attacks on Minorities.

Another Hindu man stabbed, set on fire in Bangladesh, escapes by jumping into pond; fourth attack in two weeks.

Upendra Bharti  | HENB | Delhi | Jan 2, 2026:: A Hindu businessman in Bangladesh narrowly escaped death after being brutally stabbed, beaten, and set on fire by a group of assailants in the Shariatpur district, marking the fourth reported attack on Hindus in the country within two weeks.

The incident occurred on the night of December 31, when Khokon Chandra Das, who runs a small pharmacy in the Keorbhanga area of Kaneshwar Union, was returning home from work. According to local media reports, Das was ambushed by a mob, stabbed in the lower abdomen, struck on the head, and then doused with petrol before being set ablaze.

In a desperate bid to save his life, Das managed to jump into a nearby pond, extinguishing the flames. Despite suffering severe injuries, he called out for help, prompting villagers in the area to rush to the spot and transport him to hospital.

Das was first taken to Shariatpur Sadar Hospital, but as his condition worsened, he was transferred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where he remains in critical condition. Doctors have reported severe burn injuries to his face and right hand, along with multiple stab wounds, suggesting a sustained and violent attack.

“I don’t know who did this. We need justice. My husband is a simple man; he did not harm anyone,” said Seema Das, the victim’s wife, speaking to local media. Recounting the aftermath, she told Dhaka Post, “When I got the news, I went to the scene and saw my husband’s body on fire. He had been stabbed in various parts of his head and body. His condition is very bad.”

The attack has triggered widespread concern, coming amid a series of violent incidents targeting Hindus in Bangladesh. Earlier this week, a man was shot dead inside a garment factory in the Mymensingh district. Last week, 29-year-old Amrit Mondal was allegedly lynched by a mob in the Hossaindanga area of Kalimohar Union. In November, another Hindu youth, 25-year-old Dipu Chandra Das, was lynched following what were reportedly false blasphemy allegations made by a co-worker at his factory in Bhaluka Upazila, also in Mymensingh. Dipu was beaten to death by a violent Muslim mob, then hanged from a tree and set on fire amid “Allahu Akbar” slogans.

The spate of attacks has drawn international attention. India condemned the incident, calling the attacks on religious minorities in Bangladesh “worrisome” and urging authorities to ensure the safety of vulnerable communities.

The latest violence unfolds against the backdrop of political uncertainty in Bangladesh. The country is currently under an interim administration following the ouster of the Sheikh Hasina-led government in August 2024. Rights groups and minority advocates have warned that the prevailing instability may be contributing to a rise in communal violence.

As Khokon Chandra Das fights for his life in hospital, his case has become another grim reminder of the growing fears surrounding the safety and security of religious minorities in Bangladesh.
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_Inputs from India TV.