A 50-year-old Hindu businessman narrowly escaped death after a brutal mob attack in Shariatpur, Bangladesh, on New Year’s Eve. The victim, Khokon Chandra Das, owns a pharmacy in the Keurbhanga area and was returning home after closing his shop when the terrifying assault occurred.
According to local reports, a group of attackers intercepted his autorickshaw on the Damudya–Shariatpur road. They stabbed him, beat him, and then poured petrol over his body, attempting to set him on fire. In a desperate bid to survive, Das jumped into a nearby roadside pond, extinguishing the flames and preventing further injury. Locals quickly rushed to his aid, pulling him out of the water and alerting authorities.
Das sustained burns on his face, hands, and head, along with stab wounds. He was initially treated at Shariatpur Sadar Hospital, but doctors recommended transferring him to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for specialised care. His condition is currently stable, but the ordeal has left the community shaken.
Police have launched an investigation, identifying at least two suspects, though arrests have not yet been confirmed. The attack has raised serious concerns about the safety of minority Hindus in the region. In recent weeks, similar violent incidents, including lynchings, have targeted Hindus in Bangladesh, igniting fears among communities and prompting calls for stronger law enforcement and protective measures.
Neighbours and community members expressed shock and sorrow over the attack. “It’s terrifying that such violence can happen in broad daylight. We fear for our safety every day,” said a local resident, highlighting the growing anxiety among minority populations.
This incident has drawn attention both locally and internationally, prompting human rights organisations to call for urgent action to protect religious minorities. For Das, the escape into the pond was nothing short of miraculous—a desperate leap that saved his life, even as it underscores the vulnerability of communities living under constant threat.
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