Bangladesh News : Fresh Lynching of Hindu Man Raises Minority Safety Concerns as Tarique Rahman Returns to Bangladesh After 17 Years

A fresh incident of mob violence against a Hindu man in Bangladesh has intensified concerns over the safety of minorities, coming just a day ahead of the return of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, after more than 17 years in exile.

Local media reported that Amrit Mondal, also known as Samrat (29), was beaten to death by a mob late on Wednesday night in Pangsha Upazila of Rajbari district. The killing adds to a growing list of lynching incidents reported amid political volatility and continuing unrest following the collapse of the Sheikh Hasina government last year.

According to the Dhaka Tribune, the incident occurred around 11 pm in the Hossaindanga Old Market area, where locals allegedly assaulted Mondal following accusations of extortion. Pangsha Model Police Station officer-in-charge Sheikh Moinul Islam confirmed the death, saying the body had been recovered and sent for post-mortem examination.

Police and local accounts cited in media reports claimed that Mondal headed a local criminal group known as “Samrat Bahini” and was named in several cases, including murder. He had reportedly fled to India during the Awami League’s rule and returned to Bangladesh recently.

The killing comes days after another lynching incident in Mymensingh, where Dipu Chandra Das, a Hindu factory worker, was beaten to death over an alleged blasphemy accusation. Together, the incidents have heightened anxiety among minority communities.

The issue has also drawn political reactions in India. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) criticised West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, linking the incident to its support for the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). In a post on X, the West Bengal BJP alleged that continued violence against Hindus in Bangladesh underscored the need for protections for persecuted minorities.

The developments are unfolding against a backdrop of widespread protests and political instability in Bangladesh, following the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi, a prominent figure associated with last year’s mass agitation that led to the fall of the Hasina government. His death has also strained India-Bangladesh relations.

India has sought a transparent and thorough investigation into Hadi’s killing and has rejected allegations of Indian involvement in incidents that have fuelled anti-India sentiment in Bangladesh. New Delhi has repeatedly raised concerns over attacks on minorities, particularly Hindus, under the interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus.

In a related incident, Bangladeshi police announced a reward for information on those responsible for setting fire to a Hindu-owned house near the port city of Chattogram. The arson attack occurred on Tuesday night, though the occupants escaped unharmed.

Amid this tense atmosphere, Tarique Rahman returned to Dhaka on Thursday to a large reception by BNP supporters. His return is expected to energise the party ahead of the February 12 parliamentary elections. Rahman had left Bangladesh after the Awami League’s landslide victory in the 2008 elections, citing threats to his safety and alleging political persecution.

During Sheikh Hasina’s tenure, Rahman was convicted in several cases, including corruption, money laundering and involvement in grenade attacks. Despite this, he remains a key political figure and a potential prime ministerial contender, even as Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami seeks to mount a strong electoral challenge to the BNP.

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