Non-Stop Attacks on Minorities in Bangladesh: Two Hindu Deaths in 24 Hours Spark Fear and Outrage. 

Upendra Bharti | HENB | New Delhi | Jan 14, 2026::: Serious questions have once again been raised about the safety and security of religious minorities in Bangladesh after two Hindu men died under violent and suspicious circumstances within a span of just 24 hours. The deaths—one in police custody in Pabna and the other in a brutal street killing in Chittagong—have triggered widespread fear, anger, and renewed debate over the deteriorating condition of minorities in the country.

Brutal Killing of Auto-Rickshaw Driver in Chittagong

The most shocking incident took place on Sunday night in Daganbhuiyan, Chittagong, where 28-year-old Samir Kumar Das, a battery-operated auto-rickshaw driver, was brutally murdered. According to police, Das left his home after 8 pm to operate his auto-rickshaw but never returned. His body was later recovered around 2 am.

Feni Superintendent of Police Shafiqul Islam told ANI that Das was first severely beaten and then hacked with sharp weapons to ensure his death. After killing him, the attackers allegedly fled with his auto-rickshaw—his only source of livelihood. Police are initially treating the case as a “premeditated murder”.

“After being informed, police visited the scene, recovered the body and completed all necessary formalities. A case has been filed, but so far no suspects have been identified and no arrests have been made. The investigation is ongoing,” the SP said.

The brutality of the attack and the targeted nature of the crime have intensified fears among the local Hindu community, many of whom see the killing as part of a larger pattern of extremist violence.

Suspicious Death of Awami League leader Proloy Chaki in Pabna

Just hours earlier, another incident had already shaken the country. Pralay Chaki, a renowned musician and an Awami League leader, died in police custody in Pabna under circumstances that his family and supporters have termed “highly suspicious.” Jail authorities have claimed that Chaki died of natural causes, but his family has refused to accept this explanation, demanding an impartial investigation.

Together, the deaths of Chaki and Das within such a short time frame have spread renewed fear across Bangladesh’s Hindu population and intensified concerns about institutional accountability.

Political Reactions and International Concern

Reacting strongly to the developments, BJP leader Amit Malviya launched a sharp attack on Bangladesh’s interim government, accusing it of failing to protect religious minorities. In a post on social media, Malviya alleged that repeated attacks on Hindus, Christians, and Buddhists were being ignored.

“The interim government has made no attempt to rein in those tormenting Hindus and other religious minorities. Nor has it offered even a word of solace. Instead, the man at the helm has dismissed these targeted attacks as ‘fiction’. The message is chilling,” he wrote.

Referring specifically to Samir Das’s killing, Malviya highlighted that the attackers also looted his auto-rickshaw, pushing the victim’s family into further economic distress. He described the incident as part of what he called continued persecution of Hindus following the formation of an “unelected Yunus regime.”

India has also officially reacted to the incidents. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal expressed concern, stating that attacks on minority homes, businesses, and places of worship in Bangladesh have become “a regular occurrence.” He further pointed out that such incidents are often downplayed or covered up by labeling them as cases of “personal enmity.”

“We continue to witness a disturbing pattern of recurring attacks on minorities as well as their homes and businesses by extremists. Such communal incidents need to be dealt with swiftly and firmly. We have observed a troubling tendency to attribute such incidents to personal rivalries, political differences, or extraneous reasons. Such disregard only emboldens the perpetrators, and deepens the sense of fear and insecurity among minorities,” Jaiswal said.

Minority Fears Ahead of Elections

With national elections scheduled for February, minority councils in Bangladesh have alleged that attacks on religious minorities are being deliberately intensified in the run-up to the polls. The Hindu population in Bangladesh has already fallen below 10 percent, a decline often attributed to decades of discrimination, violence, and migration.

Although interim government head Muhammad Yunus has dismissed reports of escalating violence as “exaggerated,” international human rights organizations have issued warnings about the severity of the situation on the ground. Rights groups argue that continued denial and lack of accountability are emboldening extremist elements.

A Climate of Fear

The killings of Pralay Chaki and Samir Das have become grim symbols of a broader crisis facing Bangladesh’s minorities. As investigations continue with no arrests so far, fear and uncertainty loom large over Hindu communities across the country. Observers warn that unless decisive action is taken to ensure justice and security, the cycle of violence and impunity may only deepen in the months leading up to the elections.
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_Agency Inputs.