A recent report by the Human Rights Congress for Bangladesh Minorities (HRCBM) has highlighted a disturbing pattern of violence against Hindu minorities in Bangladesh, documenting at least 71 incidents linked to blasphemy allegations between June and December 2025. The findings have intensified concern in India, which has described the situation as one of persistent hostility toward minorities in the neighbouring country. The report states that these incidents were recorded across more than 30 districts, including Rangpur, Chandpur, Chattogram, Dinajpur, Lalmonirhat, Sunamganj, Khulna, Comilla, Gazipur, Tangail and Sylhet. Rights groups have pointed out that the geographical spread and striking similarity of these cases indicate a systemic pattern of targeting rather than isolated or spontaneous acts.
According to the report, allegations of blasphemy frequently led to police action, mob violence, and collective punishment. In many instances, accusations quickly escalated into attacks before any proper investigation could be carried out. On June 19, 2025, a 22-year-old man, Tamal Baidya, was arrested in Agljhara, Barisal, over alleged derogatory remarks about Prophet Muhammad. Just three days later, Shanto Sutradhar, aged 24, faced protests and unrest in Matlab, Chandpur, following similar allegations. One of the most violent incidents occurred on July 27, when 17-year-old Ranjan Roy was arrested in Betgari Union of Rangpur district. After his detention, at least 22 Hindu homes were vandalised, demonstrating how such accusations often lead to collective punishment of entire communities rather than action against individuals alone.
Overall, the report documents 71 separate cases involving arrests, FIRs, mob assaults, vandalism of homes, expulsions from educational institutions and deaths following mob violence. It notes that more than 90 percent of those accused were Hindus, including minors between the ages of 15 and 17, highlighting the vulnerability of young people within minority communities. Many of the cases were linked to alleged social media posts, particularly on Facebook, which were often disputed, fabricated, or traced to hacked accounts. In several instances, arrests were made under public pressure without forensic verification, raising serious concerns about due process.
Educational institutions also emerged as major flashpoints. A number of students faced suspension, expulsion, or police action after being accused of insulting religious sentiments. The report mentions cases involving students such as Pranaya Kundu of Pabna University of Science and Technology, Bikorno Das Divvya, Tonoy Roy of Khulna University, and Apurbo Pal of North South University. In several incidents, violence continued even after the accused were taken into custody, pointing to failures in ensuring their safety and maintaining law and order.
The report also documents fatal attacks linked to blasphemy allegations. On December 18, 2025, Dipu Chandra Das, aged 30, was beaten to death and his body set on fire by a mob in Bhaluka, Mymensingh. Earlier, on September 4, 2024, a 15-year-old boy, Utsab Mondal, was brutally assaulted in Sonadanga, Khulna. The attack allegedly occurred in the presence of law enforcement personnel, raising serious questions about accountability and the protection of minorities.
Human rights observers quoted in the report stressed that the recurring pattern of social media accusations, rapid arrests, mob mobilisation and attacks on Hindu localities indicates that blasphemy allegations are increasingly being used as tools of persecution and intimidation. The report warns that minors and economically vulnerable individuals are especially at risk and that, without stronger safeguards and accountability mechanisms, such incidents are likely to continue.
These findings align with concerns recently raised by India. The Ministry of External Affairs said it was deeply disturbed by recent lynchings of Hindu men in Bangladesh and described the situation as one of unrelenting hostility toward minorities. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal condemned the killing of a Hindu youth and said India expected those responsible to be brought to justice. His remarks followed two separate lynching incidents, including the killing of Dipu Chandra Das and another case in Rajbari district where a 30-year-old Hindu man, Amrit Mondal, also known as Samrat, was beaten to death by a mob.
The MEA has stated that nearly 2,900 incidents of violence against minorities have occurred during the tenure of Bangladesh’s interim government under Muhammad Yunus and rejected what it called a false narrative surrounding these attacks. These incidents have unfolded amid political unrest in Bangladesh following protests over the death of political activist Sharif Osman Hadi, placing increased scrutiny on the interim administration’s handling of law and order and its ability to protect minority communities.
