Canadian Conservative MP Shuv Majumdar, Vice Chair of the International Human Rights Subcommittee, condemned the lynching of Dipu Chandra Das, a 27-year-old Hindu garment worker, calling it “another dark chapter unleashing the familiar pain of generational trauma.”
It was earlier reported in local media that Das was beaten to death by a mob of radical Islamists, tied to a tree, and set on fire in Baluka, Mymensingh, on Thursday (December 18) over alleged blasphemy, though police and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) investigators have found no evidence to support the claims.
Tensions inside Das’s factory reportedly stemmed from workplace disputes over promotion and working conditions. His brother, Apu Chandra Das, said Dipu was forced to resign before the attack, which escalated into a deadly mob assault. Local witnesses are now suggesting taht the killing may be linked to personal conflicts rather than purely religious outrage.
The police have so far arrested 12 people, including two co-workers, in connection with the lynching. Authorities recovered Das’s body and sent it for autopsy at Mymensingh Medical College. Investigators are continuing to identify additional suspects; the victim’s family has filed a case naming 140–150 unnamed individuals.
Majumdar warned that the attack reflects a broader pattern of persecution against religious minorities in Bangladesh, echoing historical pogroms. “Religious minorities — Hindus, Christians, Buddhists — continue to face targeted violence reminiscent of past atrocities,” he said, urging the interim government of Muhammad Yunus to restore stability and the rule of law.
The killing has heightened concerns internationally, with human rights groups and neighbouring India calling for accountability and protection of minorities. Bangladesh’s Hindu population has experienced rising attacks since the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024, including murders, arson, and forced displacements.
Majumdar praised those who have stood against radical Islamist extremists, adding:
“All Bengalis deserve equal protection and freedom from oppression. No one should suffer unspeakable atrocities simply for their faith.”
The interim Bangladeshi government has condemned the lynching, vowing that the perpetrators “will not be spared,” while security forces continue to manage sporadic outbreaks of mob violence across the country.
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