Shariatpur (Bangladesh) — January 4, 2026: A 50-year-old Hindu businessman, Khokon Chandra Das, has died in hospital days after being brutally attacked, stabbed, and set on fire by a mob in Damudya Upazila of Shariatpur district, Bangladesh. The incident has sparked widespread shock, condemnation, and concern both within Bangladesh and internationally.
Brutal Attack and Death
The attack occurred on the night of December 31, 2025, near Keurbhanga Bazar in Kaneshwar Union, as Das was returning home after closing his pharmacy shop. Assailants intercepted him, stabbed him with sharp weapons, doused him with petrol and set him ablaze. In a desperate attempt to escape the flames, Das jumped into a nearby pond, but suffered severe burn injuries covering about 30 % of his body, including critical damage to his face and respiratory tract.
After initial treatment at Shariatpur Sadar Hospital, he was transferred to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka, where he succumbed to his injuries on Saturday morning.
Police Action
Bangladesh’s elite force, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), has arrested three suspects — identified as Sohag Khan (27), Rabbi Molya (21), and Palash Sardar (25) — in connection with the attack. The investigation is ongoing as authorities seek to determine the full circumstances and motive behind the violence.
Local Response in Bangladesh
The killing has stirred strong reactions from civil society and minority community leaders within Bangladesh. Kajol Debnath, spokesman for the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, described the incident as part of a disturbing pattern of violence and intimidation against Hindu minorities, noting that this was among several attacks on members of the community in recent weeks.
Many residents of Shariatpur and neighbouring areas have demanded swift justice and exemplary punishment for those responsible, calling on law enforcement and the government to ensure protection for religious minorities and prevent such brutal acts from recurring.
Political Reaction in Bangladesh
Although the interim Bangladesh government has not yet issued a detailed official statement specific to this killing, political tensions around minority safety have been rising amid broader concerns about law and order. Opposition parties have criticised authorities for failing to prevent recurrent mob violence, urging stronger preventive measures and accountability for hate crimes.
Political activists and some civil rights organisations have called for comprehensive investigations and legal safeguards to protect minority communities, stressing that such attacks threaten social harmony and the rule of law.
International Reaction
The attack and subsequent death of Khokon Das have drawn international attention:
- United States: In previous related incidents of mob violence targeting Hindus in Bangladesh, the U.S. State Department condemned the killings as “horrific” and urged Bangladeshi authorities to take firm action against religious violence. U.S. officials have reiterated concerns about hate crimes and the importance of protecting minority rights.
- Human Rights Groups: Various international human rights organisations have expressed alarm over the spate of violent attacks against religious minorities in Bangladesh. They have called on the government to uphold constitutional protections, conduct impartial investigations and ensure justice for victims and their families.
Community and Diaspora Reactions
Sections of the Indian Hindu community and diaspora have strongly condemned the killing, criticising the recurring violence against Hindus in Bangladesh. Some groups have raised broader questions about minority safety and called for international pressure on Dhaka to strengthen protections and accountability.
