The charred body of Chanchal Chandra Bhowmik, a sole breadwinner from a village in Cumilla, was found in Narsingdi town after assailants allegedly poured petrol on his workshop's shutter and set it ablaze. CCTV footage reportedly shows individuals deliberately starting the fire, a grim detail that has led locals and community leaders to condemn it as a premeditated murder.
This horrific incident is not isolated. It comes amid a sharp and alarming increase in violence against Bangladesh's Hindu minority, with human rights groups documenting a pattern of killings, arson, and intimidation that has created a climate of pervasive fear just weeks before the country heads to the polls.
A Disturbing Pattern of Targeted Violence
The attack on Chanchal Chandra Bhowmik is a single point in a much grimmer timeline. Data from the Rights & Risks Analysis Group (RRAG) indicates that between December 1, 2025, and January 15, 2026, at least 15 minority Hindus were murdered.
The methods are brutal and often involve mob violence. In a widely reported case from December 2025, 27-year-old garment worker Dipu Chandra Das was lynched and his body publicly burned over alleged blasphemy in Mymensingh district. Other attacks mirror the tactics seen in Narsingdi, with homes set on fire and families locked inside.
The table below summarizes a selection of recent attacks, highlighting the alarming frequency and brutality:
| Date | Victim | Location | Nature of Attack |
| Dec 18, 2025 | Dipu Chandra Das (27) | Mymensingh | Lynched, body burned and hung |
| Dec 24, 2025 | Amrit Mondal (29) | Not Specified | Killed by a mob |
| Dec 29, 2025 | Bajendra Biswas (40) | Bhaluka, Mymensingh | Shot dead |
| Jan 23, 2026 | Chanchal Chandra Bhowmik (23) | Narsingdi | Burned alive while sleeping |
Government Response and Growing Tensions
The interim government, led by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, has faced significant criticism for its handling of this crisis. Authorities have consistently stated that such incidents are criminal, not communal, in nature and have vowed to bring perpetrators to justice.
However, minority leaders and international watchdogs argue this response is inadequate. The government has been accused of dismissing reports of targeted violence as "disinformation" orchestrated from abroad, particularly from India. This stance has fueled frustration among Hindu community leaders, who see it as a denial of the religious dimensions of the attacks and an impediment to their community's safety.
Human Rights Watch has noted that attacks on women, girls, and religious minorities are rising ahead of the elections, exposing the interim government's failure to protect fundamental rights.
Elections Amidst a Climate of Fear
With national elections scheduled for February 12, 2026, the safety of minorities has become a critical issue. The European Union Election Observation Mission has called for "inclusive" elections involving all communities. Yet, organizations like RRAG warn that in the current atmosphere of systematic attacks, Hindu minorities may be unable to participate freely or safely in the electoral process unless the government directly acknowledges and addresses the targeted nature of the violence.
The broader context is one of significant political upheaval following the "Monsoon Revolution" of August 2024, which saw the resignation of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Since that transition, domestic and international observers have warned of rising political and communal tensions, with minorities often caught in the crossfire.
International Concern and the Path Forward
The situation has drawn sharp international concern. India's Ministry of External Affairs has expressed serious alarm, linking individual killings like that of Chanchal Chandra Bhowmik to broader issues of minority safety and law and order. Global human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have highlighted the systemic violence faced by religious minorities in the country and called for urgent reforms.
For Bangladesh's Hindu community, which has seen its demographic share shrink from nearly 20% at independence to under 8% today, the current wave of violence feels existential. As Monindra Kumar Nath of the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council poignantly stated, "We are living in fear... There is no justice for Hindus."
The coming weeks will be a crucial test. Whether the Bangladeshi state can ensure robust protection for all citizens, conduct a credible and inclusive election, and deliver justice for victims like Chanchal Chandra Bhowmik will determine not only the country's immediate stability but also its long-term identity as a pluralistic democracy.
