Bangladesh,05,JAN,2026,(India Today News CA):- A Hindu journalist and factory owner named Rana Pratap was shot dead by bike-borne assailants in Bangladesh’s Jashore district on January 4, 2026, marking the latest attack on the minority community. This incident follows at least four other killings of Hindu men in the past three weeks, amid rising concerns over minority safety under the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus. No official statement from Yunus or the government specifically addressing jihadist involvement or these targeted killings has been reported.​
Recent Incidents
- Rana Pratap (45), acting editor of a local paper and ice factory owner, was lured from his business and shot in the head in Kopalia Bazar.​
- Khokan Chandra (50) was stabbed, doused in petrol, set on fire, and died from injuries on New Year’s Eve after jumping into a pond to escape.​
- Bajendra Biswas, a garment factory worker, was shot in the thigh by a colleague on December 29.​
- Earlier cases include Dipu Chandra Das, lynched and burned by a mob in Mymensingh for alleged blasphemy, and Rit Mondal, killed by a mob.​
Yunus Government Response
The interim administration has faced criticism for inaction, with reports noting no direct condemnation of these attacks or references to jihadist elements. Local police investigations are ongoing, but patterns suggest mob violence and targeted assaults on Hindus, including home burnings, without broader security measures announced.​
Broader Context
Hindus, about 8% of Bangladesh’s population, report heightened fears post-Sheikh Hasina’s ouster, with attacks linked to Islamist radicals. Indian media and diaspora outlets highlight the spike, contrasting it with silence from international bodies on minority protections.
