Lynching of Dipu Chandra Das
On 18 December 2025, Dipu Chandra Das, a Hindu garment worker in Bhaluka, Bangladesh, was beaten, hanged from a tree, and set on fire after being accused of making derogatory remarks about Islam at a factory event. Investigators later reported that no evidence was found to support the allegation.
Background
The lynching took place against a backdrop of escalating violence in Bangladesh following an attack on Sharif Osman Hadi, a prominent youth leader who died on 18 December 2025 from gunshot wounds sustained during an assassination attempt. Hadi had been a key figure in the 2024 Bangladesh protests that led to the ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024. His death sparked violent protests across the country, with attacks on media offices, cultural institutions, and Indian diplomatic missions.Violence against minorities
Following the removal of Sheikh Hasina's government, Bangladesh witnessed increased violence against the Hindu minority community. 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.Dipu Chandra Das
Dipu Chandra Das was a garment factory worker employed at Pioneer Knit Composite Factory in the Square Masterbari area of Bhaluka Upazila. He was a 27-year-old resident of Mukamiakanda village in Tarakanda Upazila of Mymensingh District. He was married and the father of a three-year-old daughter. Dipu had been living as a tenant in the Dubalia Para area of Bhaluka.Lynching
On the evening of 18 December 2025, Dipu was accused of making derogatory remarks about the Islamic prophet Muhammad during an event at the Pioneer Knit Composite Factory, organised to mark World Arabic Language Day. The allegations rapidly spread within the factory and surrounding areas, sparking tension, and a mob gathered demanding that Das be handed over.Around 9:00 pm, the mob attacked Dipu and beat him, hanged him from a tree, and set him on fire. Videos circulating on social media showed the mob attacking Dipu while chanting Islamic slogans.
Investigation
Police were dispatched to the scene after receiving information about the incident and brought the situation under control. They recovered Dipu's body and sent it to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital for a post-mortem examination. Initially, no case was registered, with police stating that legal proceedings would begin once a formal complaint was filed. Dipu's brother, Apu Chandra Das, subsequently filed a case with Bhaluka Police Station accusing 140–150 unnamed persons. Dipu's body was returned to his family home in Mukamiakanda village, Tarakanda, on 20 December 2025.On 20 December 2025, Muhammad Yunus announced that seven individuals had been arrested by the RAB in connection with the lynching. The Rapid Action Battalion stated that there was no direct evidence of "religious defamation" in the murder case. RAB also found no one who personally heard or witnessed anything related to religious defamation. Mymensingh RAB Company Commander Md. Samsuzzaman confirmed this information to BBC Bangla. The RAB-14 Director said the floor manager handed Dipu over to an enraged crowd after forcing him to resign from his job. Investigators are trying to find answers to why he was handed over to the crowd and police were not called. Previous enmity could be a motive here or the pressure from the crowd.
By 22 December, authorities in Bangladesh had arrested a total of 12 people, including two of Dipu's co-workers. In connection with the case, a Mymensingh court granted a three-day remand for the arrested individuals.
Reactions
Domestic
Government
The interim government of [Muhammad Yunus|interim government of Bangladesh] condemned the killing and promised accountability, with Education Adviser C. R. Abrar meeting Das's family to express sympathy and give assurance of government support.Non-government
The Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council">Hindus">Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council demanded the immediate arrest of the perpetrators, stating that the murder undermined communal harmony. The Communist Party of Bangladesh (Marxist–Leninist) condemned the "barbaric crime" as a sign of social and psychological breakdown, noting the disturbing silence of hundreds of onlookers. Condemnations were also issued by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar and Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh leaders.The lynching was celebrated by many people in Bangladesh, including a prospective parliamentary candidate.
International
The Ministry of External Affairs of India expressed deep concern over the "barbaric killing" and ongoing attacks on minorities, urging the Bangladesh government to ensure justice. Indian politicians strongly condemned the violence. Andhra Pradesh Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan stated the "pattern of targeting Hindus is cruel and clear". Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi urged the Indian government to raise the safety of minorities with Bangladesh, while MP Shashi Tharoor termed the incident "unbearably tragic". BJP leader Tarunjyoti Tewari described the killing as "a direct assault on civilization itself". Muslim leaders, including those from Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, also condemned the lynching as shameful and anti-Islamic. Amnesty International called for immediate action against those responsible for the violence, which followed allegations of blasphemy. Several celebrities protested the killing. Singer Tony Kakkar released a track titled "Why violence in the name of religion?". Condemnations were voiced on social media by Janhvi Kapoor, Idhika Paul, Riddhi Sen, Mekhla Dasgupta, and Vikram Chatterjee.On 28 December, the US State Department condemned the lynching, terming the killing as "horrific" and further urged Bangladesh for the protection of minorities in the country.
Congressman Thomas R. Suozzi wrote to Secretary of State Marco Rubio on December 22, 2025, expressing concerns over attacks on Hindu minorities in Bangladesh, including the killing of Dipu Chandra Das, and the misuse of blasphemy laws, requesting a briefing on the safety and security situation of religious minorities to address concerns from his Bangladeshi-American constituents.
US Congressman Ro Khanna stated that "the killing of Dipu Chandra Das, a 27-year-old Hindu garment worker in Bangladesh, is horrific, and my thoughts and prayers are with his friends and family. We must unequivocally condemn and speak out against these vile acts of hatred and bigotry."