No one from govt helped us: Father after son lynched in Bangladesh

PTC Web Desk: A brutal mob lynching of a Hindu man in Bangladesh has once again sparked serious concerns over the safety of religious minorities, amid a fresh wave of violence following the death of a prominent anti-India radical leader. The victim, Dipu Chandra Das, a garment factory worker from Mymensingh, was beaten to death late Thursday night after being accused of making derogatory remarks about Islam. According to family members, the violence escalated rapidly, culminating in an act that has shocked both Bangladesh and India.

After the assault, Das’s body was reportedly tied to a tree and set ablaze, while videos circulating on social media showed a crowd celebrating the killing. The incident occurred even as protests linked to the killing of radical leader Osman Sharif Hadi turned violent in parts of Dhaka, over 100 km away, where demonstrators vandalised public property and landmarks.

As per a report in NDTV, the victim’s father Ravilal Das described learning about his son’s death through Facebook posts before locals confirmed the tragedy. He said the family has received no assurance or support from the government, despite public condemnation of the lynching by Muhammad Yunus’s interim government.

“They beat him badly, tied him to a tree, poured kerosene and set him on fire. His burnt body was left outside. It was horrific,” the grieving father said, struggling to come to terms with the loss.

While the government has ordered action and arrested at least seven persons, uncertainty remains over the identities of those involved. The family said it was unclear whether members of Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh or its student wing Chhatra Shibir were responsible.

The killing has intensified scrutiny of Bangladesh’s law and order situation, particularly for minorities, as hardline Islamist groups appear to be gaining momentum ahead of national elections.