BY PC Bureau
Januaruy 25, 2026: A 23-year-old Hindu man was burnt alive while sleeping inside a garage in Bangladesh’s Narsingdi district, in a brutal incident that has intensified concerns over the safety of religious minorities amid growing political uncertainty ahead of national elections.
The incident occurred on the night of January 23, 2026, in the Khanabari Mosque Market area near the Narsingdi Police Lines, roughly 50 kilometres from Dhaka. The victim, Chanchal Chandra Bhowmik, was a garage worker originally from Lakshmipur village in Cumilla district.
According to police and eyewitness accounts, Bhowmik had gone to sleep inside the garage after completing his work for the day. Unidentified assailants allegedly doused the premises with flammable substances and set it on fire, trapping him inside. The garage reportedly contained large quantities of petrol, engine oil, and other inflammable materials, causing the blaze to spread rapidly.
Bhowmik died from severe burn injuries and suffocation before he could be rescued.
Local residents and family members have described the attack as premeditated, citing CCTV footage from nearby cameras that reportedly captured the suspects setting the fire. Police have recovered the body for autopsy and seized video evidence as part of the investigation. Multiple teams have been formed to identify and apprehend those responsible, officials said.
While authorities have not yet confirmed a motive, the killing has heightened fears within Bangladesh’s Hindu community, which constitutes about 7.95% of the population—approximately 13.13 million people, according to the 2022 census.
Pattern of Violence Against Hindus
The killing of Bhowmik comes amid a series of violent attacks on Hindus reported across Bangladesh in recent months. Rights groups and community leaders say such incidents have increased since the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024, a period marked by political instability and allegations of rising extremism.
Recent cases include:
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December 2025: A Hindu man, Dipu Chandra Das, was lynched in public, tied to a tree, and set on fire. Videos of the attack circulated widely, triggering domestic and international condemnation.
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January 2026: Another Hindu businessman, Khokon Chandra Das, was allegedly doused with petrol and burned alive, with family members claiming the attack was religiously motivated.
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Other January incidents: A Hindu sweetshop owner was beaten to death in Gazipur, a Hindu home was torched in Sylhet, and a Hindu autorickshaw driver was fatally stabbed in Feni. In a separate case, a Hindu man survived an attempted immolation by jumping into a pond but later succumbed to his injuries.
Critics warn that lack of accountability and weak law enforcement responses have emboldened perpetrators, allowing such crimes to continue with impunity.
Public and International Reaction
The killing has sparked widespread outrage on social media, with activists, journalists, and rights advocates calling for urgent action to protect minorities. Several commentators have described the incident as emblematic of a broader pattern of persecution, urging international human rights organizations and the United Nations to intervene.
India has repeatedly raised concerns over violence against minorities in Bangladesh, calling on Dhaka to ensure the safety of Hindus and other vulnerable communities.
As investigations continue, Bhowmik’s death has become a stark symbol of the deepening insecurity faced by minorities in Bangladesh—an issue that is likely to draw sharper scrutiny as the country moves closer to elections.
