New Delhi, Jan 3 (NationPress) The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has vehemently denounced the recent slaying of a Hindu trader in Bangladesh, following the tragic death of Khokon Chandra Das, who succumbed to severe burn injuries after being violently attacked. The assault involved brutal beatings and being set ablaze by assailants.

The victim, a Hindu merchant from Damudya, sustained critical injuries earlier this week when he was attacked with sharp weapons.

The assailants reportedly doused him with petrol and ignited him in the Damudya upazila of Shariatpur district. He passed away on Saturday morning while receiving medical care in Dhaka.

This heinous event occurred late Wednesday near Keurbhanga Bazar in Kaneshwar Union of Damudya. After suffering grave injuries, Khokon was transported to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in the Bangladeshi capital, where he fought for his life for several days before ultimately succumbing.

In response to this atrocity, VHP spokesperson Vinod Bansal expressed intense outrage, labeling the murder an act of extreme savagery.

“Another Hindu in Bangladesh has fallen prey to the barbarism of a jihadist mob. Just three days ago, in Shariatpur, Hindu trader Shri Khokan Chandra Das was slain. On December 31, while returning from his shop, he was assaulted with sharp weapons, drenched in petrol, and set alight,” Bansal stated in a post on X.

He further remarked that the victim had struggled for three days before succumbing and questioned the “jihadist wild beasts” and the Bangladeshi administration: “Is this the essence of true Islam? Do the Hindu citizens of Bangladesh have any human rights left?”

Bansal urged the Hindu community to recognize what he referred to as the “ugly face” of radical Islam and called for vigilance to safeguard themselves amidst ongoing violence.

“In light of the persistent violence there, a significant question arises: the Hindu community must acknowledge the conversions, infiltrations, and the grim reality of radical Islam and remain alert for their own protection,” he cautioned.

He drew parallels with neighboring nations, stating, “Otherwise, just as Hindus have diminished to virtually zero in Afghanistan, reduced to a mere one percent in Pakistan, and with even the seven percent in Bangladesh in such dire straits, envision what your future might hold.”

The VHP spokesperson additionally urged Bangladeshi authorities to take decisive action.

“We anticipate that the Bangladesh government will impose strict penalties on the gang of jihadist murderers and ensure the safety of the remaining Hindu community there,” Bansal asserted.

As per information from the victim's family, Khokon was on his way home in a CNG-powered auto rickshaw after closing his shop on Wednesday night, carrying the day's earnings.

Miscreants reportedly halted his vehicle near Keurbhanga Bazar on the Damudya–Shariatpur road, assaulted him with sharp weapons, severely injuring him before pouring petrol on his head and igniting him.

Khokon's nephew, Prant Das, mentioned that his uncle had been admitted to the National Burn and Plastic Surgery Institute in Dhaka since late Thursday night. He stated that Khokon's condition deteriorated in the early hours of Saturday, leading to his death while receiving treatment in the Intensive Care Unit.