‘Houses Locked Before Arson’: Kolkata ISKCON Vice President On Targeted Hindu Attacks In Bangladesh

Last Updated:December 24, 2025, 18:02 IST

Expressing concern over the declining Hindu population in Bangladesh, the ISKCON Kolkata VP said that the community’s numbers have fallen sharply over the decades.

Recalling past incidents of violence against Hindus, Das said that Hindus have faced some of the largest massacres globally. (File)

Amid widespread violence and arson in Bangladesh, ISKCON Kolkata Vice President Radharaman Das has claimed that extremist elements were deliberately locking Hindu families inside their homes before torching the houses.

While speaking to News18 Hindi, Das said that Hindus are deliberately killed in an anti-India narrative. “Even last night, several Hindu homes were burned in villages. The doors were locked from outside before setting the houses on fire so that no one could escape," Das said, adding that some residents managed to save their lives by jumping out of windows.

Earlier on Tuesday, miscreants set a Hindu family’s home ablaze, burning their pets to death and destroying all household belongings. Additionally, a threatening banner targeting the Hindu community was found near the site. It accused Hindus of engaging in anti-Islamic activities and asked them to stop immediately, warning that any violation would lead to severe consequences.

While referring to reports of targeted mob attacks on the offices of leading Bangladeshi newspapers, Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, Das said that similar tactics were used against media establishments. “Earlier, two major news media offices were also locked from outside. The army and police had to repeatedly plead before those inside could be rescued," he said.

He also condemned the mob lynching of Hindu man, Dipu Chandra Das, who was beaten and burned to death by a mob in Mymensingh following unverified allegations of blasphemy. He said that no compensation could undo the loss suffered by the family, however, the government should take responsibility for the education of his daughter and the welfare of his parents.

Expressing concern over the declining Hindu population in Bangladesh, the ISKCON Kolkata VP said that the community’s numbers have fallen sharply over the decades. “Hindus once made up around 30% of Bangladesh’s population. Today, that figure has dropped to just about 7.5%. The world must take note of this," he told the news outlet.

Recalling past incidents of violence against Hindus, Das said that Hindus have faced some of the largest massacres globally. “Pakistan once had around 20% Hindu population, which has now fallen to about just 1%. Even Hindus themselves do not know how many of them have been killed over time," he said.

He urged Hindus across the world to unite and raise their voices. “Even if people cannot do much, they can use social media. A single tweet can give courage to Hindus in Bangladesh," he said.

Appealing directly to the authorities, Das urged the Bangladesh interim government to protect its minority citizens. “With folded hands, I appeal to the Bangladesh government to ensure the safety of its minority communities," he said.

Bangladesh Unrest

Massive protests broke out in several parts of Bangladesh, including Dhaka and Chattogram, following the death of July uprising organiser Sharif Osman Hadi in Singapore. Hadi, the convener of Inquilab Mancha, died while undergoing treatment after he was shot in the head in Dhaka on December 12.

Media houses, cultural centres and political offices were attacked. A Hindu man, Dipu Chandra Das, was lynched and burnt to death in Mymensingh over alleged blasphemy. The lynching of Dipu Das, meanwhile, invited sharp condemnation in India, with protests swelling outside the Bangladesh High Commission in Delhi.

Bangladesh authorities have faced criticism from minority rights advocates and international observers over the handling of such attacks, with critics saying religious tensions and mob violence reflect deeper social fractures. Dhaka’s leadership has described some narratives of targeted communal attacks as misleading, even as tensions and protests continue.

News world ‘Houses Locked Before Arson’: Kolkata ISKCON Vice President On Targeted Hindu Attacks In Bangladesh

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