Rising violence and custodial deaths trigger alarm over the safety of Hindus and political dissenters amid growing international scrutiny of Bangladesh’s human rights record
Fresh incidents of violence against Hindus in Bangladesh have intensified fears among minority communities, following the brutal killing of a Hindu auto-rickshaw driver and the custodial death of a senior Awami League leader within days of each other.
The incidents have drawn sharp criticism from human rights groups and renewed calls for accountability from the Bangladeshi authorities, even as concerns mount over an apparent pattern of targeted attacks and alleged institutional neglect.
Auto Driver Stabbed to Death in Feni
On the night of January 11, Samir Kumar Das, a 28-year-old Hindu auto-rickshaw driver, was reportedly intercepted by a group of assailants in Daganbhuiyan upazila of Feni district.
According to local sources, Das was forcibly dragged out of his CNG vehicle, assaulted, and repeatedly stabbed. His body was discovered the next morning near a local hospital.
While the auto-rickshaw was missing, family members pointed out that Das’s cash, mobile phone, and gold ornaments were left untouched—prompting investigators to suspect a targeted killing rather than a robbery.
Samir Kumar Das is survived by his wife and a two-year-old child.
Awami League Leader Dies in Police Custody
In another disturbing development, Proloy Chaki, a 60-year-old Hindu politician and acclaimed musician, died on Sunday night at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital while in police custody.
Chaki, who served as the cultural affairs secretary of the Awami League in Pabna, was arrested on December 16 in connection with an explosives-related case linked to the so-called “July Uprising” of 2024.
Authorities have claimed that Chaki died of cardiac arrest. However, his son, Sony Chaki, has rejected the official explanation, alleging that his father was deliberately denied timely medical treatment while in custody.
The family has demanded an independent probe into the circumstances surrounding his death.
Mounting Fear Among Minorities
The deaths of Samir Das and Proloy Chaki come amid a series of violent incidents involving Hindu citizens and political activists across Bangladesh. Rights groups warn that such cases reflect a growing climate of fear and impunity, particularly after unrest escalated following the death of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi in December 2025.
International observers and neighbouring India have expressed concern over the safety of religious minorities, urging Dhaka to ensure justice, protect vulnerable communities, and uphold fundamental human rights.
