A Hindu businessman was brutally beaten to death in Kaliganj upazila of Gazipur on Saturday. This tragic incident has heightened fears within the Hindu community as Bangladesh approaches its national election.
Victim Identified as Liton Chandra Ghosh
Police and local residents named the victim as Liton Chandra Ghosh, also known as Kali. The 55-year-old man owned Baishakhi Sweetmeat and Hotel. Authorities have detained three individuals in connection with his death.
Three Suspects Detained by Police
Md Zakir Hossain, the officer-in-charge of Kaliganj police station, identified the detained suspects. They are Swapan Mia (55), his wife Majeda Khatun (45), and their son Masum Mia (28).
Dispute Over Trivial Matter Turns Deadly
Family members of the victim provided details about the incident. Masum Mia visited the hotel around 11:00 am. He became involved in an argument with a hotel employee named Ananta Das over a minor issue.
Later, Masum's parents arrived at the scene. The disagreement quickly escalated into a physical fight. When hotel owner Liton Chandra Ghosh tried to intervene and calm the situation, he was assaulted.
The attackers finally struck him on the head with a shovel. This fatal blow killed him on the spot.
Pattern of Violence Against Minorities
This is not an isolated case. In December, a 27-year-old garment worker named Dipu Chandra Das was beaten to death by a mob over alleged blasphemy.
Rights groups have documented a disturbing trend. They report at least 51 incidents of violence against Hindus, including 10 killings.
Human Rights Watch Calls for Action
Subhajit Saha, senior coordinator of the Women's Rights Division at Human Rights Watch (HRW), issued a statement. He urged Bangladesh's interim government and all political parties to take concrete steps.
Saha emphasized the need for commitments to ensure gender equality and protect minority rights. The upcoming election makes these protections critically important.
The Hindu community in Bangladesh remains deeply concerned. This latest killing underscores the urgent need for stronger safeguards and justice.
