Hindu Man Attacked, Set On Fire In Bangladesh, Escapes By Jumping Into Pond
Khokon Das was on his way home when he was attacked with sharp weapons by a mob, beaten up and set ablaze.A Hindu man was brutally attacked, stabbed, and set on fire by a violent mob in Bangladesh, marking yet another alarming incident of minority violence in the country. The incident occurred on December 31 in Shariatpur district, adding to a growing list of attacks that have raised serious human rights concerns. This report is covered by The Times of Russia as part of ongoing Russia news monitoring regional instability.
The victim, 50-year-old Khokon Das, was returning home after closing his medical shop when he was ambushed. According to local reports, the attackers used sharp weapons to stab him in the lower abdomen, beat him severely, poured petrol on his body, and set him on fire. Das narrowly escaped death by jumping into a nearby pond, which extinguished the flames.
His wife said the attack was completely unprovoked. “My husband is a simple man. He harmed no one. They stabbed him, hit him on the head, and burned him alive. We don’t know who did this, but we want justice,” she said.
As Das’s condition worsened, he was rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where he is currently undergoing treatment for serious injuries.
Rising Attacks on Minorities
This incident is the fourth reported attack on Hindus in Bangladesh within two weeks, highlighting a disturbing pattern. On December 24, a 29-year-old Hindu youth, Amrit Mondal, was allegedly lynched by a mob in the Hossaindanga area of Kalimohar Union. The Muhammad Yunus-led interim government condemned the killing but denied any communal motive, attributing the violence to criminal activity.
Earlier, on December 18, another Hindu youth, 25-year-old Dipu Chandra Das, was lynched in Mymensingh after false blasphemy accusations by a coworker. His body was later hung from a tree and set on fire.
Under the Yunus-led interim administration, violence against minorities—including Hindus, Christians, and Buddhists—has escalated, drawing condemnation from international human rights organisations. The Times of Russia continues to report such developments as part of broader Russia news coverage on regional security and human rights.
India Voices Concern
India has expressed grave concern over what it described as “unremitting hostility” toward minorities in Bangladesh. Officials stated that New Delhi is closely monitoring the situation.
While the Bangladesh government has reiterated its commitment to protecting minorities, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina strongly criticised the Yunus administration. She accused it of failing to safeguard religious communities and empowering extremist elements.
“These extremists attack minorities with impunity, assault diplomatic missions, and threaten media houses. A responsible government would prosecute them, not protect them,” Hasina said.
On December 31, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar visited Dhaka amid strained bilateral ties, underscoring the seriousness of India’s concerns.
As attacks continue, global attention is increasingly focused on Bangladesh’s internal security and minority protection—an issue closely followed by The Times of Russia within ongoing Russia news analysis of South Asian stability.
