Tragic Death of Hindu Youth Sparks Outrage Amid Rising Violence in Bangladesh

The recent death of 19-year-old Joy Mohapatra after a debt-related incident has sparked outrage as violence against Hindus escalates in Bangladesh. This marks the eighth attack on the Hindu community in just 22 days, raising alarms about the safety of minorities in the region. Reports indicate a pattern of assaults and killings, prompting India to express concern over the situation. As the community faces increasing threats, the need for urgent action to protect minority rights becomes more pressing.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jan 10, 2026, 19:18 IST

Escalating Violence Against Minorities

Dhaka: The ongoing violence against minority groups in Bangladesh has led to yet another tragic incident, where a young Hindu man succumbed to poisoning linked to a debt dispute in the Sunamganj district's Dirai upazila, according to local reports.

The deceased, identified as 19-year-old Joy Mohapatra, passed away on Friday morning while receiving treatment at M A G Osmani Medical College Hospital in Sylhet.

As reported by his cousin Ayan Das, Joy had bought a mobile phone for 5,500 Taka from a local shopkeeper, Amirul Islam, paying 2,000 Taka upfront and agreeing to pay the remaining amount in weekly installments of 500 Taka. Despite making regular payments, he fell behind on the last installment.

It is alleged that Joy was assaulted and humiliated by Amirul when he attempted to pay the overdue installment, resulting in his phone being confiscated.

Ayan mentioned that Joy confessed to ingesting poison on Thursday evening. He was initially taken to the Dirai Upazila Health Complex, but due to his deteriorating condition, he was referred to Sylhet.

Moni Rani Talukder, the Medical Officer at Dirai Upazila Health Complex, stated, "I was on duty when he arrived. His condition was critical, necessitating an immediate referral to Sylhet."

Joy's mother, Shelly Mohapatra, recounted the harrowing events, saying, "They demanded money from him in the morning and took his phone. When he returned for the SIM card, they slapped him, leading him to consume poison at the shop."

Enamul Haque Chowdhury, the Officer-in-Charge of Dirai Police Station, confirmed the incident, stating, "We have received information and inspected the site. Legal action will follow if a complaint is filed."

This incident marks the eighth case of violence against Hindus in just 22 days, with four occurring this week alone, underscoring a troubling trend of attacks on Hindu communities in Bangladesh.

Earlier this week, another Hindu man, 25-year-old Mithun Sarkar, died after jumping into a canal to escape a mob that accused him of theft in Mohadevpur upazila, as reported by a local Bengali newspaper.

In a separate incident, two Hindu men were killed within 24 hours. The first, 40-year-old Sarat Chakraborty Mani, was attacked with sharp weapons in Narsingdi district, allegedly by an extremist group. The second victim, 38-year-old Rana Pratap Bairagi, was shot dead in public in Monirampur Upazila.

Previously, on January 3, Khokon Chandra Das was killed by a mob in Shariatpur district, and last week, Bajendra Biswas was shot by a colleague in Mymensingh.

In December, two more Hindu youths were killed in mob lynching incidents over false accusations, highlighting the severe risks faced by minorities in the region.

India has expressed deep concern over the alarming rise in violence against minorities in Bangladesh, emphasizing the need for decisive action to address these communal tensions.