In a horrifying turn of events, new information has surfaced regarding the brutal murder of Dipu Chandra Das, a Hindu youth in Bangladesh's Mymensingh. While initial reports suggested the killing was a reaction to alleged blasphemy, investigations now point to a workplace conflict as the primary catalyst for the mob violence that led to his death.
From Factory Dispute to Mob Violence
The incident, which occurred on December 18, 2025, involved Dipu, a worker at the Pioneer Knitwears (BD) Limited garment factory. According to his brother, Apu Robi Das, Dipu had ongoing tensions with several colleagues regarding his position. He had recently taken an exam for promotion from floor manager to supervisor. Apu revealed to The Dhaka Tribune that Dipu was dismissed from his job on the afternoon of the incident. Shortly after his termination, allegations of blasphemy were suddenly raised against him.
"They beat my brother and threw him out of the factory," Apu stated. He emphasized that even after Dipu was caught and apologised, the factory workers did not spare him. The situation escalated rapidly inside the factory premises. A mob subsequently caught Dipu, beat him to death, and then committed a further atrocity by tying his body to a tree and setting it on fire.
Contradictory Narratives and Police Findings
Earlier accounts, including a report by BBC Bangla, cited a duty officer named Mia who claimed an enraged crowd killed Dipu around 9 PM on Thursday for making derogatory remarks about Prophet Muhammad. However, Bangladesh police and the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) have stated they found no evidence to support claims that Dipu insulted religion.
Apu's account provides a chilling sequence of events. After the initial assault, Dipu's friend Himel called Apu, informing him that Dipu had been taken to a police station over the blasphemy allegations. "A short while later, he called again and said my brother was dead," Apu recounted. By the time Apu reached the scene, his brother's body was already burned.
India's Reaction and Regional Tensions
The killing has drawn a sharp response from India. On Sunday, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal termed the killing "horrendous" and urged Bangladesh to bring the perpetrators to justice. The Indian government also addressed reports of protests, clarifying that only a small group of youths had gathered briefly outside the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi to protest the lynching and were dispersed peacefully.
This tragic event occurs against a backdrop of heightened tensions. The violence last week, partly fuelled by growing anti-India sentiments in Bangladesh, also saw the killing of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi. The lynching of Dipu Chandra Das has sparked condemnation and protests, including demonstrations by Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) activists in Ahmedabad on December 22, 2025.
The emerging details shift the narrative from a purely religious provocation to a complex case where a personal or professional grievance was dangerously weaponised through blasphemy accusations, leading to an unspeakable tragedy.
