Did a rights group report the killing of 15 minority Hindus in Bangladesh over 45 days?
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Synopsis
The Rights and Risks Analysis Group has reported alarming violence against Hindus in Bangladesh, citing the murder of 15 individuals in just 45 days. With claims of targeted attacks and a government narrative dismissing these incidents, the situation calls for urgent international attention to protect minority rights.
Key Takeaways
- 15 Hindu minorities murdered in Bangladesh over 45 days.
- Victims included both elderly and youth.
- Murders reported as premeditated and targeting property.
- Interim government dismisses religious motivations.
- Urgent need for international intervention.
New Delhi, Jan 16 (NationPress) The Rights and Risks Analysis Group (RRAG), a rights organization located in New Delhi, has asserted that at least 15 members of the Hindu minority community were killed in Bangladesh within the last 45 days, allegedly by individuals from the Muslim majority.
On Thursday, RRAG Director Suhas Chakma stated that "between December 1, 2025, and January 15, 2026, there were at least 15 murders of minority Hindus in Bangladesh, equating to one Hindu being killed every third day."
Among the victims were elderly women such as Suborna Roy and young individuals like 18-year-old Shanta Chandra Das. The murders were reportedly premeditated, often targeting the victims' properties, as seen in the cases of Samir Das and Shanta Chandra Das, whose auto-rickshaws were seized. Some slayings were executed in a Taliban-style, where victims like Rana Pratap Bairagi, Shanto Chandra Das, Jogesh Chandra Roy, and Suborna Roy had their throats slit, added Chakma.
Chakma indicated that these murders are merely the tip of the iceberg regarding the daily violence faced by Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh, which has received little media coverage.
He emphasized that the Hindu minorities in Bangladesh are facing unprecedented challenges, unlike under previous administrations such as the Awami League or the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). The current Interim government, led by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, has dismissed the religious motivations behind these assaults even before investigations have commenced.
The report from RRAG also highlighted that Yunus has constructed a narrative framing these attacks against Hindu minorities as a disinformation campaign orchestrated by India.
Yunus went further on January 13, 2026, by reaching out to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk for technical assistance to combat disinformation amid elections.
Chakma pointed out that violence against Hindu minorities will likely be classified as political violence, similar to how Yunus described significant attacks on Hindus in August 2024 as targeting the Awami League.
The RRAG warned that as the election campaigning kicks off on January 22, Hindu minorities are likely to experience unprecedented violence due to their religious identity.
The statement from RRAG indicated that the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) Chief Observer, Ivars Ijabs, called for elections that are inclusive and participatory, ensuring representation from all ethnic and religious minority groups.
In light of the systematic attacks, it seems unlikely that Hindu minorities will be allowed to participate in the elections unless the interim government acknowledges the violence against them based on their religious beliefs and takes appropriate steps for their inclusive participation.
The RRAG has urged all stakeholders, including the European Union, to intervene with the interim government to guarantee the participation of Hindu and other minority groups and to monitor violence against indigenous and religious communities during the electoral process.
The names of some of the murdered minority Hindus include Samir Das and Prolay Chaki on January 11, 2026; Joy Mohapatra on January 10, 2026; Mithun Sarkar and Sarat Mani Chakraborty on January 6, 2026; Rana Pratap Bairagi on January 5, 2026; Khokon Chandra Das on December 31, 2025; Bajendra Biswas on December 29, 2025; Amrit Mondal on December 24, 2025; Dipu Chandra Das on December 18, 2025; Shanto Chandra Das on December 12, 2025; Jogesh Chandra Roy and Suborna Roy on December 7, 2025; and Prantosh Kormokar and Utpol Sarkar on December 2, 2025.
Point of View
The alarming reports from the Rights and Risks Analysis Group demand immediate attention. The systematic violence against Hindu minorities in Bangladesh cannot be overlooked, and it is imperative for the international community to advocate for justice and protection for all marginalized groups.
NationPress
15/01/2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the source of the report on the killings in Bangladesh?
The report comes from the Rights and Risks Analysis Group (RRAG), a rights organization based in New Delhi.
How many Hindu minorities were reported killed?
At least 15 members of the Hindu minority community were reported killed in the last 45 days.
What is the motivation behind these attacks?
The attacks are allegedly motivated by religious differences, with victims targeted due to their Hindu identity.
What has the Bangladeshi government said about these incidents?
The interim government, led by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, has dismissed these attacks as disinformation campaigns and has not acknowledged the religious motivations behind them.
What is being done to address these issues?
The RRAG has urged international stakeholders, including the European Union, to intervene and ensure the safety and participation of Hindu minorities during the elections.
