Bangladesh: ISKCON vice president alleges Hindus were locked inside homes before arson attacks

Hindus targeted amid Bangladesh unrest

As Bangladesh reels from violence and incidents of arson, ISKCON Kolkata Vice President Radharaman Das has alleged that extremist groups are deliberately trapping Hindu families inside their homes before setting the properties on fire.

Speaking to News18 Hindi, Das claimed that Hindus are being targeted as part of an anti-India narrative. “Even last night, several Hindu homes were burned in villages. The doors were locked from outside before setting the houses on fire so that no one could escape,” Das said. He added that some residents survived by jumping out of windows.

Earlier on Tuesday, unidentified miscreants allegedly torched the home of a Hindu family, killing their pets and destroying all household belongings. A threatening banner was also recovered near the site, aimed at the Hindu community. The message accused Hindus of anti-Islamic activities and warned them to stop, threatening severe consequences if they did not comply.

Another night of terror. Another Hindu village reduced to ashes in West Banik Para, Chittagong, Bangladesh.

Another night of terror. Another Hindu village reduced to ashes in West Banik Para, Chittagong, Bangladesh. The world’s response to Bangladeshi Hindus: S I L E N C E. #SaveBangladeshiHinduspic.twitter.com/1QdMoCjL6X

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— Radharamn Das राधारमण दास (@RadharamnDas) December 24, 2025

Referring to reports of mob attacks on the offices of prominent Bangladeshi newspapers Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, Das said similar methods had been used against media organisations. “Earlier, two major news media offices were also locked from outside. The army and police had to repeatedly plead before those inside could be rescued,” he said.

Das also condemned the lynching of a Hindu man, Dipu Chandra Das, who was beaten and burnt to death by a mob in Mymensingh following unverified allegations of blasphemy. He said that while no compensation could make up for the family’s loss, the government should take responsibility for his daughter’s education and the welfare of his parents.

Expressing concern over the shrinking Hindu population in Bangladesh, Das said the community’s numbers have declined sharply over the decades. “Hindus once made up around 30% of Bangladesh’s population. Today, that figure has dropped to just about 7.5%. The world must take note of this,” he told the outlet.

Recalling historical violence, Das said Hindus had suffered some of the largest massacres globally. “Pakistan once had around 20% Hindu population, which has now fallen to about just 1%. Even Hindus themselves do not know how many of them have been killed over time,” he said.

He called on Hindus worldwide to unite and speak out. “Even if people cannot do much, they can use social media. A single tweet can give courage to Hindus in Bangladesh,” he said.

Appealing directly to the authorities, Das urged the interim administration in Bangladesh to safeguard minority communities. “With folded hands, I appeal to the Bangladesh government to ensure the safety of its minority communities,” he said.

Bangladesh unrest

Large-scale protests have erupted across several parts of Bangladesh, including Dhaka and Chattogram, following the death of July uprising organiser Sharif Osman Hadi in Singapore. Hadi, the convener of Inquilab Mancha, died while receiving treatment after being shot in the head in Dhaka on December 12.

During the unrest, media houses, cultural institutions and political offices were attacked. Hindu man Dipu Chandra Das was lynched and burnt to death in Mymensingh over alleged blasphemy. His killing triggered strong condemnation in India, with protests held outside the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi.

Bangladesh’s authorities have come under criticism from minority rights groups and international observers over their handling of the violence. Critics argue that rising religious tensions and mob attacks point to deeper social divisions. Dhaka’s leadership, however, has described some claims of targeted communal violence as misleading, even as protests and unrest continue.