American MP calls atrocities on Bangladeshi Hindus dangerous instability, demands immediate action from Yunus government
Washington. A Democratic lawmaker in the US has condemned the lynching of a man from the minority Hindu community in Bangladesh and urged the Bangladesh administration to protect religious minorities. Congressman Raja Krishnamurthy, an Illinois Democrat, said on Monday he was “appalled” by the targeted killing of Dipu Chandra Das amid dangerous instability in Bangladesh.
Krishnamurthy said in a statement, “The Bangladesh government should conduct a swift and thorough, transparent investigation and bring to justice those responsible for this incident. Additionally, it should take immediate action to protect Hindu communities and other religious minorities from violence.”
Bangladesh authorities have arrested 10 people linked to the murder of Dipu Chandra Das, 25, on blasphemy charges. The attack took place in Mymensingh city on Thursday. Bangladesh’s Rapid Action Battalion arrested seven suspects, while police detained three others.
Muhammad Yunus, chief adviser to the interim government, confirmed the arrests in a post on social media platform X on Saturday and promised a full investigation. The government has promised a thorough investigation and is committed to bringing all the culprits to justice. It is noteworthy that Hindus are a minority in Muslim-majority Bangladesh and there is a history of communal violence there. Accusations of blasphemy often provoke intense public reaction that sometimes escalates into mob violence.
According to local reports, Mr. Das was beaten by the mob and his body was set on fire. The incident is being widely condemned and has raised concerns about the safety of minorities in the Muslim-majority country. The murder took place at a time when tensions had increased in Bangladesh following the death of youth leader Sharif Usman Hadi, leading to anti-India protests across the country.
Sharif Osman Hadi, convenor of the student activist group Inquilab Morcha and parliamentary candidate for the February 2026 national elections, was shot by unidentified persons and Hadi died in hospital in Singapore on 18 December. Hadi’s funeral was held in Bangladesh on Saturday which was attended by a large number of people. As per the wishes of the family, he was buried near the grave of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam.
Hadi had announced plans to contest the elections from Dhaka-8 seat as an independent candidate. On December 12, he was traveling by rickshaw in Bijoynagar area of the capital when two assailants riding a motorcycle shot him at close range and fled.
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has expressed concern over the incident and urged the central government to raise the issue of minority protection with Bangladeshi authorities. Communal violence has become common in Bangladesh, with allegations of blasphemy leading to mob attacks.
The Hindu minority population constitutes about eight percent of the total population of the country. The arrested suspects include Mohammad Limon Sarkar (19), Mohammad Tarek Hussain (19), Mohammad Manik Mia (20), Ershad Ali (39), Nijum Uddin (20), Alamgir Hussain (38), Mohammad Miraj Hussain Akon (46), Mohammad Ajmol Hasan Sagir (26), Mohammad Shahin Mia (19) and Mohammad Nazmul. Mr Krishnamurthy said the unrest must end and the rule of law must be maintained in the interest of all Bangladeshis.
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