Hindu Businessman Killed in Bangladesh Amid Rising Violence Against Minorities

Tragic Incident in Gazipur District

Dhaka, Jan 18: A tragic event unfolded in Bangladesh's Gazipur district on Saturday when a 55-year-old Hindu businessman was fatally assaulted following a dispute regarding missing bananas, raising alarms about the safety of minority groups in the region.

The victim, Liton Chandra Ghosh, was the proprietor of Baishakhi Sweetmeat and Hotel located in Kaliganj, as reported by local media.

Authorities have apprehended three individuals from one family in connection with the incident: Swapan Mia (55), his spouse Majeda Khatun (45), and their son Masum Mia (28).

Zakir Hossain, the Officer-in-Charge at Kaliganj Police Station, explained that the conflict arose when Masum Mia, who manages a banana plantation, discovered a bunch of bananas missing from his property.

During his search, he allegedly found the bananas at Ghosh’s establishment, leading to a confrontation.

According to police reports, the suspects assaulted Liton, resulting in him collapsing and dying instantly.

Ghosh’s relatives stated that Masum initially engaged in a verbal dispute with a hotel employee around 11 am, which escalated when his parents joined and a physical altercation ensued, ultimately leading to Ghosh's death.

Investigations are ongoing to clarify the complete circumstances surrounding the incident. Authorities have yet to determine if this incident is connected to the recent surge in violence against Hindus in Bangladesh.

This incident marks the second fatality of a minority community member within a span of two days.

On the previous day, a 30-year-old Hindu man employed at a fuel station died after allegedly being struck by a customer attempting to flee without paying.

In that case, police confiscated the SUV involved and arrested its owner, Abul Hashem (55), along with his driver, Kamal Hossain (43).

Hashem, a contractor, is affiliated with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and has previously served as the district president of its youth wing, the Jubo Dal.

Meanwhile, the Human Rights Congress for Bangladesh Minorities (HRCBM) has highlighted a concerning trend of violence against minorities.

The organization reported that between June 6, 2025, and January 5, 2026, there were 116 documented deaths of minorities across all eight divisions and 45 districts in Bangladesh, with cases involving lynching, murder, and suspicious deaths.

Police confirmed that investigations are ongoing in both recent cases.

With inputs from various sources.