Radicals step up attacks against Hindu community in Bangladesh
Between December 1, 2025 and January 31, 2026, houses, temples and properties of at least 16 Hindus were burnt in Mirsarai, Raozan, Pirojpur and Sylhet, seven of them in the last week. Hindu minorities whose houses were set on fire include Tapan Dhar, late Amio Dhar, Kanu Nath, Amio Dhar, Ashok Dhar, Anup Dhar and Mridul Saha of Mirsarai. Under the rule of Chittagong; Sukh Shil, Anil Shil, Bimal Talukdar, Rubel Das, Sadhan Barua, Sona Pal and Kamini Mohan Pal from Raozan under Chittagong, a Saha in Pirojpur and Bikash Ranjan Deb in Sylhet.
Explaining the modus operandi of the Islamist forces, RRAG Director Suhas Chakma said, “Fires were deliberately set in temples, residences and haylofts. Doors of Hindu and Buddhist houses were locked from outside before being set on fire. The aim was to kill them alive. Chittagong district witnessed the highest number of arson attacks against Hindu minorities in Mirsarai and Raozan.”
“Also, from December 31, 2025 to January 1, 2026, at least 17 Hindu minorities were killed in targeted violence. Previously, numerous murders were committed by slitting their throats Taliban-style, including the likes of Rana Pratap Bairagi, Shanto Chandra Das, Jogesh Chandra Roy and Suborna Roy. However, Chanchal Chandra Bhowmik was killed after setting fire to the building in the garage where she was sleeping”. – also added Mr. Chakma.
Minority Hindus killed: Chanchal Chandra Bhowmik on January 23, 2026, Samir Das and Prolay Chaki on January 11, 2026; Joy Mohapatra on January 10, 2026; Mithun Sarkar and Sarat Mani Chakraborty on January 6, 2026; Rana Pratap Bairagi on January 5, 2026; Khokon Chandra Das on 31 December 2025; Bajendra Biswas on 29 December 2025; Amrit Mondal on December 24, 2025; Dipu Chandra Das on 18 December 2025; Shanto Chandra Das on December 12, 2025; Jogesh Chandra Roy and Suborna Roy on 7 December 2025; and Prantosh Kormokar and Utpol Sarkar on December 2, 2025.
Current Bangladeshi officials, including chief advisor Dr Muhammad Yunus, have repeatedly denied any religious aspect to these attacks on 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) were also facing attacks. Additionally, on January 19, 2026, Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammed Yunus stated that between January and December 2025, there were approximately 645 incidents involving members of minority communities, but “the vast majority of cases were of a criminal nature rather than social.”
“The authorities’ rejection of any religious viewpoint emboldened the fundamentalists. Victims often described the burning of targeted houses as an “accident or foul play” for fear of retaliation, although they attempted to burn the houses alive or were left destitute after burning all their assets and possessions,” Chakma said.
