An Islamist mob has beaten a Hindu man to death on claims of blasphemy in Mymensingh’s Bhaluka Upazila of Bangladesh, reported BBC Bangla. Afterwards, the assailants tied his body to a tree and set it on fire. The victim has been identified as Dipu Chandra Das and the horrific incident took place on the night of 18th December (Thursday) in Square Master Bari’s Dubalia Para neighbourhood.
The development has been confirmed by Bangladesh authorities. The police is yet to file a case.
The videos of the incident (video discretion advised) in which the slogans of “Nare Takbir Allahu Akbar” can be heard have become viral on social media where the deranged crowd is seen murdering Dipu and recording the heinous act on mobile phones.
The deceased was a tenant in the neighbourhood and worked at a nearby clothing factory. Duty Officer Ripon Mia of the Bhaluka Police Station mentioned that a mob attacked him after accusing him of uttering disparaging words about Prophet Muhammad. Ripon stated, “An angry crowd caught him around 9 pm Thursday over allegations that he made derogatory remarks about Prophet Muhammad. They beat him to death and later set fire to the body.”
The official alleged that police arrived at the scene after learning of the matter and managed to control the situation. Afterward, Dipu’s body was discovered and taken to the Mymensingh Medical College Hospital mortuary for a postmortem examination. Ripon added, “We are trying to locate his relatives. Legal action will be taken in accordance with the law once a case is filed.”
Bangladesh has witnessed unprecedented violence against the marginalised Hindu community following Sheikh Hasina’s removal from power and her subsequent flight from the country. Now, the horrific killings have intensified once more after the death of anti-India and jihadi political activist Sharif Osman Hadi. Hadi was shot at on December 12. He passed away on the night of December 18 while receiving treatment in Singapore.
The unrest has again escalated as Muslim extremists take to the streets to target the media, the Indian embassy and diplomats as well as the vulnerable minority Hindus.