Tragic Mob Violence in Mymensingh: The Death of Dipu Chandra Das

New Delhi, December 20, 2025: A wave of communal tension has gripped the Mymensingh district following the brutal lynching of a Hindu man on Thursday night, December 18, 2025. The victim, identified as Dipu Chandra Das, a 25-year-old garment factory worker, was killed by a mob over unsubstantiated allegations of blasphemy.

The incident occurred in the Dubalia Para area of Bhaluka Upazila. According to local police reports, an agitated group of individuals accused Das of making “derogatory remarks” about the Prophet Muhammad. Witnesses described a harrowing scene where Das was first beaten outside a factory before being tied to a tree. The mob subsequently set his body on fire, an act that has sparked international outrage and deep concern for the safety of religious minorities in the country.

Government Response and Arrests

In the wake of the killing, the interim government led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus issued a stern condemnation, stating that there is “no place for communal hatred or mob violence” in what they termed the “New Bangladesh.”

On Saturday, December 20, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) announced the arrest of seven individuals in connection with the murder. The suspects, ranging in age from 19 to 46, were apprehended during raids across various locations. The government has vowed that those responsible will face “strict action” and has urged citizens to remain vigilant against extremist elements seeking to destabilize the nation.

Context of Growing Unrest

The lynching of Dipu Chandra Das did not happen in a vacuum. It occurred as Bangladesh was already reeling from widespread unrest following the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, a prominent radical political leader and convenor of the Inqilab Moncho. Hadi passed away in a Singapore hospital on Thursday after being shot by masked gunmen in Dhaka earlier this month.

Hadi’s death triggered violent protests across major cities, with mobs targeting media houses like The Daily Star and Prothom Alo, as well as historical landmarks. The heightened emotional state of the public, combined with political volatility ahead of the scheduled February 2026 general elections, has created a precarious environment for minority communities.

Global and Local Outcry

The brutality of Das’s death has resonated beyond Bangladesh’s borders. In India, political leaders including Shashi Tharoor and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra have called upon the international community and the Indian government to address the safety of Hindu, Christian, and Buddhist minorities in Bangladesh.

Local minority rights groups, such as the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, have demanded immediate justice, describing the event as a “heinous crime” intended to undermine communal harmony. As of Saturday, police have recovered Das’s remains for an autopsy at Mymensingh Medical College, while security remains tightened across the district to prevent further escalations.