Targeted for faith? Two Hindu men murdered in Bangladesh within a day

The latest victim has been identified as Sarat Mani Chakraborty, a Hindu grocery shop owner in Charsindur Bazar in the Narsingdi district, near Dhaka.

Also Read: Hindu journalist shot dead in Bangladesh amid fresh minority violence

According to reports, Chakraborty was attacked by unidentified assailants while running his shop.

He sustained critical injuries and was rushed to a hospital by locals but died on the way or shortly after admission, News18 reported.

A family member, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the news channel that Chakraborty led a simple life and had no known disputes with anyone. The relative said he was deeply distressed by the deteriorating situation in Bangladesh and had posted on Facebook on December 19 about the rising violence against Hindus.

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A neighbour described Chakraborty as calm, humane, and socially responsible, adding that he had no personal enemies and believed the killing was linked to his Hindu identity. Chakraborty had previously worked in South Korea and returned to Bangladesh a few years ago, according to reports.

Social activist Bappaditya Basu, reacting to the murder, told Blitz: “Before the blood of one Hindu in Bangladesh has even dried, another Hindu is being killed. Before the news of Rana Pratap of Jessore could fade, Sarat Chakraborty Mani of Narsingdi was murdered.”

Warning of dire consequences, Basu said, “If this continues, there will be no existence of Hindus left in Bangladesh within a few years.” He accused the country’s interim government of failing to protect the Hindu community.

Basu further alleged that extremist Islamists had demanded a large sum of money from Chakraborty two days before his murder and threatened to abduct him if he failed to pay. Quoting the alleged threats, he said the extremists told Chakraborty:
“Give the money quietly. Don’t make a fuss about it. Even if your India or your Narendra Modi father comes, they won’t be able to stop the collection of jizya.”

Hindu journalist killed

In a separate incident, a 45-year-old Hindu factory owner and acting editor of a local newspaper, identified as Rana Pratap, was shot dead by unidentified assailants, media reports said.

Pratap was reportedly attacked by a group of men who shot him in the head. He succumbed to his injuries at the scene. According to reports, multiple cases had previously been filed against him, and he was alleged to have links to an extremist organisation.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the killing, but no arrests have been made so far.

Pratap’s murder comes amid a growing number of attacks targeting members of the Hindu community in Bangladesh, raising renewed concerns over their safety and security.