Violence against religious minorities, especially the Hindu community, is rising sharply across Bangladesh. As the country moves closer to its parliamentary elections scheduled for 12th February, 2026, fear and uncertainty are spreading among Hindu families.
Reports from various parts of the country indicate a significant increase in attacks over the past few months. Murders, physical violence, land grabbing, and repeated threats are being reported, creating a deep sense of insecurity and panic within the minority community.
Sharp increase in violence before elections
Data released by the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, known as Oikya Parishad, shows that at least 51 incidents of violence against minorities took place in December alone. These incidents included 10 murders, thefts and robberies, looting and arson, attempts to occupy homes, businesses, temples and land, one attempted rape, and multiple cases of physical assault.
There were also instances where people were arrested and tortured after being falsely accused of religious defamation and being “agents of RAW”. The Council has said that such attacks appear to be aimed at scaring minorities so they stay away from voting during the elections.
Murders that have shocked the Community
Several brutal killings in recent weeks have deepened fear among Hindus. On 5th January, Rana Kanti Bairagi, a Hindu businessman and acting editor of a local newspaper, was shot dead in Jessore district. On the same day, grocery shop owner Moni Chakraborty was killed with sharp weapons in Narsingdi.
Earlier, on 3rd January, Khokan Chandra Das was attacked and set on fire in Shariatpur district. He later died from his injuries. In December, Amrit Mandal was beaten to death in Rajbari, while Dipu Chandra Das was beaten, killed, and his body burned by a mob in Mymensingh.
Another killing in Narsingdi added to the shock. Sarat Mani Chakraborty, a 40-year-old shopkeeper, was attacked inside his grocery store at Charsindur Bazaar and died while being taken to hospital. This was the sixth reported murder of a Hindu person in just 18 days. Days before his death, he had shared his fear on Facebook, calling his birthplace a “valley of death”.
A young Hindu man chased until death
In another case from Mahadebpur in Naogaon district, a 25-year-old Hindu youth, Mithun Sarkar, lost his life after being chased by a mob.
#BREAKING: Yet Another Hindu Killed in Bangladesh. Minority Hindu Youth dies in Bangladesh by jumping into a canal after being chased by a mob. In Mahadebpur of Naogaon, a young man named Mithun Sarkar (25) died after drowning while being chased by locals on suspicion of theft. pic.twitter.com/leXEFgPvCf
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) January 6, 2026
Accused of theft, Mithun ran to save himself and jumped into a canal. As he struggled in the water, he repeatedly cried for help, but no one came forward. He drowned in the canal, and police later recovered his body from the Chakgori Bazaar area. Mithun was the son of Pinku Sarkar and a resident of Bhandarpur village.
The incident has further increased fear among Hindus, who say such acts are meant to terrorise them into silence.
Political pressure adds to the fear
The Unity Council has also raised concerns about political pressure on Hindu leaders. Recently, the Bangladesh Election Commission cancelled the nomination of Govind Chandra Pramanik, a senior Hindu leader and lawyer from the Gopalganj-3 constituency. Pramanik, who is also the general secretary of the Jatiya Hindu Mahajot, said that people who had supported his nomination were forced to withdraw their signatures.
Bangladesh’s elections will mainly see a contest between the ruling Awami League, the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party, and the Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami. The period before the polls has already been marked by strong political tension, complaints of bias, intimidation, and repeated attacks on minorities.
Fear of voting freely
The Oikya Parishad has said that minority communities across Bangladesh are now living with fear and uncertainty. Many people are worried about whether they will be able to vote freely and safely in the upcoming elections. The Council has strongly condemned the violence and has demanded immediate action from the government and the Election Commission to stop the attacks and protect minority voters.
While the interim government has condemned the incidents and promised investigations, fear continues to grip minority communities. With elections drawing closer, many worry that the situation could worsen, putting both lives and democracy at serious risk in Bangladesh.
