| Lynching of Dipu Chandra Das | |
|---|---|
| Part of the 2025 Bangladesh anti-Hindu violence and December 2025 political violence | |
| Location | Square Masterbari area, Bhaluka, Mymensingh, Bangladesh |
| Date | 18 December 2025 Around 9:00 pm (BST (UTC+06:00)) |
Attack type | Mob violence, lynching |
| Deaths | 1 |
| Victim | Dipu Chandra Das (aged 27) |
| Perpetrators | Mob of 140–150 people (per police report) |
| Motive | Allegations of blasphemy against Muhammad |
On 18 December 2025, Dipu Chandra Das, a Hindu garment worker, was lynched by a mob in Bhaluka Upazila, Mymensingh District, Bangladesh. Das was beaten, hanged from a tree, and set on fire after being accused of making derogatory remarks about the Islamic prophet Muhammad. Subsequent investigations by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and Bangladesh Police found no evidence to substantiate the blasphemy allegations. Authorities stated that no witnesses could be found who had personally heard the alleged remarks. The incident occurred during a period of heightened unrest in Bangladesh following the death of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi. [1] [2] [3]
The lynching occurred amidst a volatile political climate in Bangladesh, following the ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024. The country had been witnessing a "shaky hold on democracy" and a power vacuum in the 16 months since the fall of the Awami League government. In December 2025, violence escalated following the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, a prominent student leader and critic of the former Hasina regime. Hadi died in a Singapore hospital on 18 December after being shot in Dhaka earlier in the month. His death triggered widespread unrest, including arson attacks on newspaper offices, cultural institutions and targeting of Indian diplomatic missions. [4]
Since the political transition in August 2024, there have been reports of increased violence against the Hindu minority in Bangladesh. [5] The Awami League and the Indian government have claimed that Hindus were left "exposed and endangered" after Hasina left power. Human rights watchdog Ain o Salish Kendra reported that mob violence had killed at least 184 people in Bangladesh in 2025. [4] According to the 2022 Bangladesh national census, there were approximately 13.1 million Hindus in Bangladesh, constituting about 7.95% of the country's population. [6]
The victim, Dipu Chandra Das, was a 27 or 28-year-old Hindu man. [7] [1] He was employed as a garment worker (Quality Supervisor) at Pioneer Knitwears (BD) Limited in Bhaluka. [3] Dipu was a resident of Mukamiakanda village in Tarakanda Upazila, Mymensingh, and lived in a rented house in the Dubalia Para area. [7] He was the sole breadwinner for his family and is survived by his wife and a young child. [3]
The incident began on the afternoon of 18 December 2025 at the Pioneer Knitwears factory. According to RAB officials, a dispute arose on the factory floor, which escalated into allegations that Das had made derogatory remarks about the Muhammad. [3] Some reports indicated the allegations were linked to an event marking World Arabic Language Day or a workplace dispute regarding his position. [8] [9]
Factory management, specifically the floor in-charge, forced Das to resign and around 5:00 pm, rather than contacting the police, factory officials handed Das over to an islamist mob that had gathered outside. [1] [10]
The mob beat Das and dragged him to the Jamirdia Square Masterbari bus stand area on the Dhaka–Mymensingh Highway. [11] Around 9:00 pm, the mob beat and hung him from a tree on the highway median, and set it on fire. [4] Videos circulated on social media showed the cheering mob chanting Islamic slogans, such as "Nara-e-Takbeer, Allahu Akbar," while beating the victim and burning his body. Some individuals in the crowd were seen filming the event on their mobile phones. [12] Police were informed around 8:00 pm and later recovered the charred body. [1]
Following the lynching, the victim's brother, Apu Chandra Das, filed a case at Bhaluka Model Police Station against 140–150 unnamed individuals. [7]
Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and the police stated they found no direct evidence supporting the blasphemy allegations. RAB Company Commander Md Shamsuzzaman stated, "We have not found anyone who directly heard or saw him committing blasphemy." [1] Investigators noted that even if remarks were made, there was no evidence found on social media or witnesses who personally heard them. [2]
Subsequent reports and family statements suggested the killing may have stemmed from a workplace dispute rather than religious offense. Das had recently attempted a recruitment exam for a promotion, which reportedly caused friction with colleagues. A local representative stated that a conspiracy had formed to remove him from the factory due to disputes over production targets and benefits. [9]
By 22 December 2025, law enforcement had arrested 12 individuals in connection with the murder. RAB arrested the factory's floor in-charge, Mohammad Alamgir Hossain, and quality in-charge, Mohammad Miraj Hossain Akon, for handing Dipu over to the mob. [3] [13] Other arrestees were the factory workers and locals. A Mymensingh court placed 12 accused on a three-day remand. [14]
The interim government of Bangladesh condemned the killing, describing it as a "heinous criminal act" with no justification in a civilized society. [15]
Education Adviser C. R. Abrar visited Das's family in Mymensingh to express sympathy and assure them of government support, confirming that financial and welfare assistance would be provided. [16]
Some segments of the public openly celebrated the killing. Jubayer Ahmad Tasrif, a prospective parliamentary candidate, posted a video on Facebook telling the mob, "You have brought joy to the hearts of the people". [4]
The Communist Party of Bangladesh (Marxist–Leninist) condemned the lynching as a "barbaric act" and a "direct assault on humanity," noting that the victim was killed without any evidence of wrongdoing. [17] The Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) stated the incident proved the absence of the rule of law in the country. [18]
Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh Joint Secretary General Azizul Haque Islamabadi besides condemning the burning of Das as "cruelty",regreted that Dipu is getting attention because he is not a Muslim, he is a Hindu. [19]
Amnesty International expressed alarm at the lynching and called for the interim government to ensure a thorough and impartial investigation into the mob violence. [20]
The victim's family rejected the blasphemy allegations, and reported that local Muslims initially prevented them from retrieving the body from the morgue, and they were forced to conduct the funeral quickly with few attendees due to fear of further attacks. His father, Robilal Chandra Das, stated, "My son was framed... I want justice for the terrorists who killed him". [12]
The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council (BHBCUC) stated that the minority population is declining due to such "atrocities" and that Hindus are living as "second-class citizens" in fear. [12]
The Ministry of External Affairs of India expressed concern over the "barbaric killing" and urged the Bangladesh government to bring the perpetrators to justice. [21]
Indian political figures across the spectrum condemned the violence. Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan termed the killing a "collapse of humanity" and noted a "cruel pattern" of targeted violence, citing over 2,400 incidents against minorities in a year. [22] Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi called the act "extremely disturbing" and a "crime against humanity," urging the Indian government to intervene regarding minority safety. [23] MP Shashi Tharoor described the incident as "unbearably tragic" amidst "mob rule". [24] Asaduddin Owaisi, president of All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen, condemned the lynching and expressed hope that the Yunus administration would take strong action. [25] Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind chief Arshad Madani labeled the incident the "height of cruelty," stating such actions violate Islamic principles. [26]
Indian celebrities also voiced outrage. Actress Janhvi Kapoor described the event as "barbaric" and "slaughter," criticizing the selective silence on the issue. [27] [28] Singer Tony Kakkar released a song titled "Chaar Log" that referenced Das, asking "Is it right to kill in the name of religion?". [29] Other figures, including Jaya Prada and Kajal Aggarwal, expressed solidarity with Bangladeshi Hindus. [30]
The United States Department of State condemned the "horrific" killing and the broader pattern of religious violence, urging Bangladesh to ensure the safety of all communities. [31]
Several U.S. lawmakers issued statements. Congressman Ro Khanna called the killing "horrific" and urged unequivocal condemnation of "vile acts of hatred and bigotry". [32] Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi described it as a "targeted mob killing" amidst dangerous instability. [33] Congressman Tom Suozzi wrote to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, citing the murder as evidence of the misuse of blasphemy laws and requesting a briefing on the security of religious minorities. [34] Several other congressmen condemned the killing.
The Government of the United Kingdom led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the murder of Das and welcomed the arrests made by local authorities. Sources within Whitehall stated the UK is committed to defending freedom of religion and has raised concerns about minority protection with the interim government. [35]
British MP Apsana Begum called for full accountability and protection for minority groups over mob violence. MP Tom Morrison wrote to Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, calling for urgent UK government engagement over Das’s murder. [36]
Protests demanding justice for Dipu Chandra Das erupted across Bangladeshi universities. At the University of Dhaka, students and DUCSU leaders held rallies condemning the "arson terrorism" and demanding the resignation of the Law and Home Advisers for failing to maintain order. [37] [38] [39] The Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Chatra Dal [40] [41] and students of Jagannath Hall also organized demonstrations. [42] [43] Similar protests and vigils were held at Government Brojomohun College [44] and Islamic University, Bangladesh by Hindu students. [45]
Protests occurred in multiple Indian cities. In New Delhi, groups including the Bajrang Dal demonstrated outside the Bangladesh High Commission. [46] [47] Tensions escalated with reports of threats to the High Commissioner, which the Indian MEA denied as disinformation, though the Bangladeshi Foreign Ministry disputed this account. [48] [49] [50] Marches were also held near the mission in Agartala. [51] [52] There were similar protests held outside the Bangladeshi mission in the city of Kolkata, and across the state of West Bengal. [53]
On 27 December, the Bengali Hindu Adarsha Sangha (BHAS) UK led a "Justice for Hindus" rally outside the Bangladesh High Commission in London to condemn the persecution of Bangladeshi minorities, specifically the killing of Dipu Chandra Das. Participants chanted the Hanuman Chalisa and "Hindu Lives Matter" to urge the Yunus administration and the British government to ensure minority safety. The demonstration was disrupted by Khalistani counter-protesters supporting the Bangladeshi interim government and the killing. [54] [55] [56]
On Friday, while protesters took to the streets in anger over Mr. Hadi's death, the police reported that a mob had lynched a Hindu laborer in Mymensingh. The victim, Dipu Chandra Das, 27, was accused of blasphemy, the police said, and then tied to a tree and burned alive.
Hadi's death triggered widespread violence in Dhaka. The offices of two national daily newspapers were torched and Indian diplomatic missions were targeted. A Hindu man also was burned alive, which sparked the protest Tuesday in India.