A wave of violent unrest in Bangladesh has claimed the life of a Hindu youth and targeted major media institutions, raising severe concerns about the safety of minorities and the freedom of the press. The incidents, occurring against a backdrop of political turmoil, have drawn sharp reactions from international watchdogs and neighbouring India.
Mob Violence Over Blasphemy Allegation
In a horrific incident on Thursday night, a Hindu youth was brutally killed by a mob in the Bhaluka upazila of Mymensingh district. The victim, identified as Dipu Chandra Das, a garment factory worker living as a tenant in the Dubalia Para area, was accused of insulting the Prophet.
According to Ripon Mia, the duty officer of Bhaluka police station, a group of agitated people caught Das around 9 pm, beat him to death, and then set his body on fire. The attackers reportedly tied the body to a tree before igniting it. Police later recovered the body and sent it to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital for autopsy.
Authorities confirmed that the situation was brought under control after police reached the spot. However, no case has been filed yet. Officer Mia stated that police are searching for Das's relatives and that legal action will proceed once a formal complaint is lodged.
Capital in Flames: Media Houses Under Attack
The killing coincides with widespread protests triggered by the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, a 32-year-old student leader and a key figure in last year's uprising. Hadi, who was shot by masked gunmen earlier this month, died in hospital on Thursday.
Subsequent large-scale protests in Dhaka turned violent, with several buildings, including the offices of leading newspapers Prothom Alo and the Daily Star, being vandalised and set ablaze. Journalists were trapped inside smoke-filled newsrooms as firefighters conducted rescue operations.
Daily Star reporter Zyma Islam posted a desperate plea on Facebook, writing, "I can't breathe anymore. There's too much smoke... I am inside. You are killing me." Firefighters managed to control the blaze at the Daily Star building by 1.40 am, rescuing 27 employees.
The attack forced the Daily Star to halt its publication for the first time in its history, as confirmed by consulting editor Kamal Ahmed. Prothom Alo executive editor Sajjad Sharif condemned the assault, calling it "an attack on freedom of the press, expression, dissent and diversity of opinion."
National and International Condemnation
The spiralling violence has prompted serious international concern. The Committee to Protect Journalists expressed alarm and urged Bangladeshi authorities to ensure journalist safety and hold perpetrators accountable.
In New Delhi, India's parliamentary standing committee on external affairs highlighted the "complex and evolving" situation in Bangladesh. In a report presented in Parliament, the panel flagged the continued attacks on minorities, media groups, and intellectuals, noting that incidents of violence and intimidation have become the norm since the political events of August 2024.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs informed the committee that India remains concerned about extremism and attacks on minorities in Bangladesh. It stated that India continues to engage with the interim government while striving to insulate bilateral ties from the recent political developments.
Meanwhile, Bangladeshi police have launched a manhunt for Hadi's attackers, announcing a reward for information. The authorities are struggling to contain the unrest, which has sparked fresh questions about law and order and the protection of minority communities in the country.
