Hindu home set ablaze, pets burnt alive in 'final warning' as Bangladesh fails its minority community

A member of the Bangladeshi Hindu community looks on while holding a banner against violence targeting the country's minorities during a protest in Dhaka on August 9, 2024, days after a student-led uprising ended the 15-year rule of Sheikh Hasina. (Photo by LUIS TATO / AFP)

A fresh wave of violence against Hindus in Bangladesh has come to light, with miscreants setting ablaze the home of a Hindu family in Chattogram, killing their pets and destroying all household belongings, even as a chilling threat targeting the community was found near the site.

The attack took place at the house of expatriates Jayanti Sangha and Babu Shukushil. Locals told India Today that the family narrowly escaped by cutting through a fence as the fire spread through the house. While all family members survived, their belongings were gutted and their pets were burnt to death.

Near the torched home, a handwritten banner in Bengali was found openly threatening the Hindu community. “This is to inform the Hindu residents of this area that you are being closely observed. You are accused of engaging in activities against Islam and the Muslim community. You are hereby warned to stop your movements, meetings, and activities immediately. If you fail to comply, you will face severe consequences,” the banner read.

The threat escalated further, warning that Hindu homes, properties and businesses would be targeted if the diktat was ignored. “No one will be able to protect you. This is the final warning. Any resistance will result in serious action,” it added.

The Chattogram attack comes days after the brutal lynching of Dipu Chandra Das, a Hindu garment factory worker, in Mymensingh over alleged blasphemy. Das was beaten to death by a mob after being accused of making derogatory remarks about Prophet Muhammad. Investigations later revealed that he was forced to resign by his factory supervisors on the night of December 16, pushed out of the workplace and handed over to an Islamist mob. His body was later hung and set on fire, with some of his colleagues allegedly participating in the killing.

Bangladesh has also been gripped by renewed unrest following the death of radical leader Sharif Osman Hadi, who died at a Singapore hospital after being shot in the head during an assassination attempt. Hadi was known for his anti India and anti Sheikh Hasina rhetoric, and his death has triggered violent protests, media attacks and deepening law and order concerns.

The lynching of Dipu Das sparked strong reactions in India, with massive protests erupting outside the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi. Demonstrators demanded accountability and protection for minorities, reflecting growing anger over Dhaka’s failure to curb mob violence and religious persecution.

Together, the incidents have further strained India Bangladesh ties, which have steadily deteriorated since political unrest earlier this year forced Sheikh Hasina to flee to India. For Bangladesh, the repeated attacks on Hindus and the open threats against minorities have once again exposed a grim reality of insecurity, impunity and state failure.