In a tragic incident that has once again raised concerns over religious violence in Bangladesh, a 40-year-old Hindu man, Sarat Chakraborty, was killed in Narsingdi district, on the outskirts of Dhaka.
Chakraborty, a grocery shop owner, was reportedly attacked with sharp weapons by unidentified assailants on the night of January 5, 2026. He succumbed to his injuries despite efforts by local residents to rush him to a hospital.
Details of the Incident:
Chakraborty, a well-respected member of his community, was at his grocery store in Charsindur Bazaar, Palash Upazila, when the attackers struck. Witnesses state that he had no known enemies and had not been involved in any disputes. His tragic death comes just hours after the murder of Hindu journalist Rana Pratap Bairagi, also targeted by unidentified assailants in Jessore district.
Sarat Chakraborty is survived by his wife, Antara Mukherjee, and their 12-year-old son, Abhik Chakraborty. The family had previously lived in South Korea before returning to Bangladesh a few years ago. Local sources described Chakraborty as a humble and peaceful man, who led a simple life and had no previous conflicts with anyone.
Possible Motive Behind the Murder:
Prominent social activist Bappaditya Basu, who spoke to the media, suggested that Chakraborty’s murder was likely linked to religious extremism. Basu reported that two days before his death, Chakraborty had allegedly been threatened by extremist Islamists who demanded a large sum of money from him. The assailants reportedly told Chakraborty that he must pay a religious tax, known as jizya, if he wanted to remain in Bangladesh. They also threatened to kidnap his wife if he reported the matter to the authorities. Basu condemned the murder, emphasizing that Chakraborty’s only “crime” was his Hindu faith.
A Wider Pattern of Religious Violence:
Basu’s comments reflect a broader fear within Bangladesh’s Hindu community, with growing concerns that such targeted killings could lead to the erosion of the Hindu population in the country. He stated that the continued persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh under a “state-backed” extremist agenda could soon result in the community’s “extinction.”
Official Response:
As of now, no official statement has been released by the Bangladesh Police or any law enforcement agencies regarding the attack. Authorities have yet to verify the details surrounding the threats allegedly made to Chakraborty in the days before his death.
Hindu Activists Speak Out:
The killing of Sarat Chakraborty marks another grim chapter in a series of violent incidents targeting Bangladesh’s Hindu community. Only hours before Chakraborty’s death, Rana Pratap Bairagi, a Hindu journalist, was also murdered by unknown assailants. These events follow a troubling pattern of religiously motivated violence in Bangladesh, leading to widespread fears among Hindus and human rights groups. Bappaditya Basu warned that if these killings are left unchecked, the future of Hindus in Bangladesh could be at serious risk.
