Hindu businessman stabbed to death in Bangladesh two days ahead of elections, sparking fears for minority safety

The victim, 62-year-old Sushen Chandra Shekhar, was stabbed to death inside his rice trading shop at Bogar Bazar intersection in Trishal Upazila.

The murder of Hindu businessman Sushen Chandra Shekhar in Bangladesh’s Mymensingh district has heightened fears for minority safety ahead of elections, amid rising attacks on Hindus and concerns over weak accountability and slow investigations.

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The killing of a Hindu businessman in Bangladesh’s Mymensingh district late Monday night has renewed concerns over the safety of religious minorities as the country heads into parliamentary elections amid rising political and social tension.

The victim, 62-year-old Sushen Chandra Shekhar, was stabbed to death inside his rice trading shop at Bogar Bazar intersection in Trishal Upazila. Police said Shekhar, a resident of Southkanda village and owner of Messrs Bhai Bhai Enterprise, was attacked around 11 pm while working alone inside his shop.

According to police, unidentified assailants used sharp weapons to kill him before pulling down the shop shutter and fleeing the scene, leaving his body locked inside. The murder was discovered later, triggering panic in the area.

Trishal Police Station officer-in-charge Muhammad Firoz Hossain confirmed the incident and said an investigation was underway to identify and arrest those responsible. Officials said the motive behind the killing remains unclear.

Pattern of violence against Hindus ahead of polls

The latest killing comes amid mounting alarm over the deteriorating security situation for minorities in Bangladesh in the run-up to the elections. Minority rights groups and observers say attacks on Hindus have surged since the ouster of the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government.

International attention was drawn to the issue following the lynching of Dipu Chandra Das on December 18, 2025. Das, a Hindu factory worker, was killed after false allegations of blasphemy, an incident that sparked widespread outrage and condemnation.

In another case, a Hindu businessman, Liton Chandra Ghosh, aged 55, was stabbed and set on fire in a separate attack. He later died from his injuries after battling for life for several days.

Rights groups say these incidents are not isolated. According to a report by the Rights and Riska Analysis Group, at least 15 Hindus were killed in a 45-day period between early December 2025 and mid-January 2026.

Climate of fear for minorities

Minority advocacy organisations say the killings are part of a broader pattern that includes hundreds of reported attacks on Hindu homes, businesses and places of worship in recent months. They warn that the political uncertainty ahead of elections has emboldened extremist elements, leaving minorities increasingly vulnerable.

Despite repeated assurances from authorities, critics argue that accountability remains weak and that investigations into attacks on minorities often move slowly or fail to result in convictions.

As Bangladesh moves closer to polling day, the killing of Sushen Chandra Shekhar has intensified fears that violence against minorities could worsen in the absence of strong preventive action and political will to ensure their safety.