Another attack? Hindu teacher’s home burnt in Bangladesh amid minority violence fears

It is not clear when the incident occurred in the country where the minorities have been facing repeated harassment in recent times.

A video of the incident has been widely circulated online.

In the video, people could be seen escaping the burning house.

The teacher could be identified as Bikash Ranjan Deb.

He was working as a teacher at Gowainghat High School.

After inspecting the site, police sub-inspector Didar informed ANI over the phone that the fire broke out due to an electrical short circuit.

Deb informed the police that he had no personal or family enemies.

He said the area where he stayed saw both the Hindus and Muslims living in harmony together.

Police visited the house of the victim following the fore incident.

British lawmaker Bob Blackman has expressed deep concern over the deteriorating situation in Bangladesh, citing a sharp rise in violence against Hindus and other religious minorities in the months following the collapse of the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government on August 5, 2024.

Speaking in the UK Parliament, Blackman highlighted what he described as a “disastrous situation” in the country.

“At the pre-recess adjournment debate, I raised the situation in Bangladesh, and the Leader of the House quite rightly wrote to the Foreign Secretary about the disastrous situation there,” he said.

Describing the violence, Blackman added: “Hindu men are being murdered on the streets; their houses are being burnt; temples are being destroyed; and other religious minorities are suffering similar fates.”

Blackman also raised concerns over the political environment ahead of Bangladesh’s general elections scheduled for next month, questioning their credibility.

“Next month, there are due to be so-called free and fair elections. The Awami League, a major political party commanding around 30 per cent support in opinion polls, has been banned from contesting. At the same time, Islamic extremists have called for a referendum that would permanently alter Bangladesh’s constitution,” he said.

MEA flags ‘disturbing pattern’

India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said last week that it is closely monitoring developments in Bangladesh, describing the violence as part of a disturbing and recurring pattern.

“We continue to witness repeated attacks on minorities, including their homes and business establishments. Such communal incidents must be dealt with swiftly and firmly,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said while addressing the media.

Jaiswal also criticised attempts to downplay the violence by attributing it to personal disputes or political rivalries.

“There is a worrying tendency to explain these incidents as personal vendettas or unrelated disputes. This only emboldens extremist elements and deepens fear among minority communities,” he added.