A Hindu man was lynched by a mob in Bangladesh’s Mymensingh district on Thursday night over allegations of blasphemy, as the country remained gripped by widespread unrest following the death of radical political activist Sharif Osman Hadi.
The victim, identified as Dipu Chandra Das, was a young garment factory worker living as a tenant in the Dubalia Para area of Bhaluka Upazila. According to police officials, local residents accused him of making derogatory remarks about Prophet Muhammad before launching a violent attack around 9 pm.
Mob Violence Leaves Victim Burnt to Death
Police said the mob beat Dipu Chandra Das to death, tied his body to a tree, and set it on fire. Law enforcement personnel later reached the scene, dispersed the crowd, and recovered the body.
The remains were sent to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital for a post-mortem examination. Officials said no formal case has been registered yet as police are attempting to trace the victim’s family members. Legal proceedings will begin once a complaint is filed.
The lynching took place against the backdrop of escalating unrest across Bangladesh following the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, a prominent leader of the July Uprising and a candidate in the February 12 general elections.
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Hadi succumbed to gunshot injuries at a hospital in Singapore after six days of treatment. He had been shot in the head by masked assailants last week while launching his election campaign in Dhaka.
Protests Turn Violent Across Cities
News of Hadi’s death triggered violent protests across the country on Thursday. Demonstrators targeted newspaper offices, vandalised 32 Dhanmondi—the historic residence of Bangladesh’s founding father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman—and set fire to the homes and offices of several Awami League leaders.
In Chattogram, protesters hurled bricks and stones at the residence of the Assistant Indian High Commissioner around 1.30 am, though officials said no damage was reported.
Authorities responded with tear gas and baton charges, dispersing the crowd and arresting 12 protesters. Senior officials later assured the Assistant High Commissioner that security had been reinforced.
Anti-India Slogans, Yunus Issues Warning
Protesters accused New Delhi of harbouring those responsible for Hadi’s killing, raised anti-India slogans, and demanded the closure of the Indian High Commission until the suspects were handed over.
Addressing the nation, Bangladesh Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus vowed swift justice in the case, stating, “No leniency will be shown” to those involved in the murder of Sharif Osman Hadi.
