Fear and Violence: Bangladesh’s Hindu Minority Faces Rising Attacks Ahead of Feb. 12 Election

In December, 27-year-old garment worker Dipu Chandra Das was accused by several colleagues of insulting the Prophet Muhammad. A violent mob attacked his workplace; Das was beaten to death, his body was hung from a tree and set on fire. Video of the killing spread rapidly by phone, sparking shock and nationwide demonstrations demanding justice and better protection for minorities.

Meghna Rani, wife of Dipu Chandra Das, weeps inside her home in Tarakanda village, Mymensingh District, Bangladesh, Jan. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Surge in Attacks and Community Fear

Human rights groups and Hindu community leaders say Das’s killing is not an isolated incident but part of a wider surge of communal violence that has intensified since a mass uprising in August 2024 toppled former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council reports documenting more than 2,000 incidents of communal violence since that uprising, including at least 61 killings, 28 reported cases of violence against women (including rape and gang rape), and 95 attacks on places of worship involving vandalism, looting and arson.

A portrait of Dipu Chandra Das hangs alongside images of Hindu deities inside his home in Tarakanda village, Mymensingh District, Bangladesh, Jan. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Official Response and Allegations of Impunity

The interim government led by Muhammad Yunus ordered an inquiry into Das’s killing; police said roughly a dozen people were arrested. The Yunus administration has repeatedly denied it is failing to protect minorities and argues that many incidents are not motivated by religious animus. Minority leaders and rights activists counter that perpetrators are too often not held accountable, contributing to a pervasive culture of impunity and heightened fear among Hindu communities.

Robilal Chandra Das, father of Dipu Chandra Das, 27, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press inside his home in Tarakanda village, Mymensingh District, Bangladesh, Jan. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Political Context: Election Tensions and Islamist Resurgence

With a national election scheduled for Feb. 12 and the Awami League barred from contesting, political polarization has intensified. Analysts and activists warn that religious minorities — who make up roughly 8% of Bangladesh’s population — are being targeted in part because they are perceived as aligned with the exiled Awami League. The reemergence of Jamaat-e-Islami and an 11-party Islamist alliance, including the student-led National Citizen Party (NCP), has raised additional concerns. These groups present electoral strategies that critics say could embolden communal violence and intimidate minority voters.

Meghna Rani, wife of Dipu Chandra Das, plays with her daughter outside their home in Tarakanda village, Mymensingh District, Bangladesh, Jan. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Regional Fallout and Diplomatic Strain

Violence against Hindus in Bangladesh has strained relations with neighboring India. New Delhi has publicly criticized Dhaka’s handling of attacks on Hindus, prompting accusations from Bangladesh that India is attempting to inflame anti-Bangladesh sentiment. The tensions have affected diplomatic services and sports ties: some visa services were suspended, a Bangladeshi player was barred from the Indian Premier League amid protests, and Bangladesh boycotted a World Cup match in India.

Human Cost and Calls for Justice

The human toll is immediate and personal. Das was the sole breadwinner for his family; his mother, Shefali Rani Das, and other relatives have publicly demanded justice. "They beat him, hung him from a tree, and burned him. I demand justice," she said. Rights groups and community leaders are calling for thorough, transparent investigations, stronger protections for minorities and accountability for perpetrators to stem the rising tide of communal violence.

Key Takeaway: Observers warn that if attacks continue unchecked ahead of the election, minority participation may fall and social tensions could deepen, with lasting consequences for Bangladesh’s social fabric and regional stability.