The Delhi Police have revealed that terror suspects arrested in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal were in regular contact with operatives in Bangladesh through the encrypted messaging platform Signal, as investigators uncovered what they described as a significant terror module with cross-border links.

According to officials, six suspects were arrested from Tiruppur in Tamil Nadu and two from West Bengal during coordinated operations on Sunday. Investigators alleged that the group was planning major attacks in India with support from Pakistan’s ISI and Bangladesh-based terrorist organisations.

Police identified the alleged handler of the module as Shabbir, who is said to have been operating from Bangladesh. Officials stated that Shabbir issued instructions to Umar Farooq of Malda, who functioned as the primary point of contact for the network in India.

Investigators further claimed that provocative posters recovered in the national capital had been printed in Kolkata after Shabbir allegedly sent the PDF files electronically. The group had also set up a base in Kolkata by renting a house on the outskirts of the city under Shabbir’s direction, police said.

According to the probe, Shabbir transferred more than ₹80,000 to fund the purchase of weapons for the module.

The six men arrested in Tamil Nadu were identified as Mizanur Rahman, Mohammad Shabat, Umar, Mohammad Litan, Mohammad Shahid, and Mohammad Ujjal. Officials said they were working in the Tiruppur garment industry and allegedly used fake Aadhaar cards to conceal their identities.

During the searches, authorities seized eight mobile phones and 16 SIM cards. Police alleged that the suspects had been circulating pro-Pakistan terrorist content on social media and had carried out reconnaissance activities in multiple cities.

Investigators also claimed that four of the accused had travelled to Delhi, where they allegedly pasted “Free Kashmir” and other provocative posters at a metro station during the AI Impact Summit before returning to West Bengal and Tamil Nadu.

Further investigation is underway.

Source: The Week

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The post Terror Bust In Tamil Nadu: Bangladeshi Illegal Immigrants In Tiruppur Communicated Via Signal App With Handler, Plotting Major Terror Attacks In India appeared first on The Commune.

Between 1 December 2025 and 14 January 2026, Bangladesh witnessed a spate of serious crimes targeting members of the Hindu minority, including killings, mob lynchings, sexual violence, arson, vandalism, and arrests linked to alleged blasphemy.

Based on police reports and contemporaneous media coverage, the following is a chronological, factual account of 18 major incidents during this period. The cases span multiple districts and reflect a pattern of targeted violence, intimidation, and communal hostility, with investigations and judicial proceedings at various stages.

#1 Hindu Auto-Rickshaw Driver Samir Das Killed in Feni – 11 January 2026  

On 11 January 2026, 28-year-old Samir Das, a Hindu auto-rickshaw driver, was found beaten and stabbed to death in a field in Jagatpur village under Daganbhuiyan upazila, Feni district. Police said his body bore multiple stab wounds, indicating a violent assault. After the killing, the perpetrators fled with his auto-rickshaw. Authorities recovered the body, sent it for post-mortem examination, and launched operations to identify suspects and recover the stolen vehicle. The case was registered as murder linked with robbery.

#2 Hindu Youth Mithun Sarkar Drowns While Fleeing Mob In Naugaon – 5 January 2026 

On 5 January 2026, 25-year-old Mithun Sarkar drowned in a canal in Bhandarpur village, Mahadevpur upazila, after fleeing a mob that had accused him of theft. Eyewitnesses reported that Mithun was chased by local extremists and, in panic, jumped into the canal near Chakgauri Bazaar. Unable to swim, he cried for help while people stood by on the banks without intervening. Police later recovered his body.

#BREAKING: Yet Another Hindu Killed in Bangladesh. Minority Hindu Youth dies in Bangladesh by jumping into a canal after being chased by a mob. In Mahadebpur of Naogaon, a young man named Mithun Sarkar (25) died after drowning while being chased by locals on suspicion of theft. pic.twitter.com/leXEFgPvCf

— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) January 6, 2026

The incident was registered as a death following mob intimidation based on unverified allegations.

#3 Hindu Grocery Shop Owner Mani Chakraborty Killed – 6 January 2026 – Narsingdi

On 6 January 2026, 40-year-old Mani Chakraborty, a Hindu grocery shop owner, was attacked with sharp weapons at Charsindur Bazar in Palash upazila, Narsingdi district. He was rushed to hospital but succumbed to his injuries. Police said the killing marked one of several fatal attacks on Hindus reported within weeks across Bangladesh. A case was registered, and investigations were initiated to identify those involved.

#4 Hindu Widow Assaulted and Gang-Raped in Kaliganj – 3 January 2026 – Jhenaidah

On 3 January 2026, a 40-year-old Hindu widow in Kaliganj, Jhenaidah district, was gang-raped and tortured by men identified as Shaheen and Hasan. According to police complaints, the attackers broke into her house, raped her, demanded money, and later dragged her outside, tied her to a tree, cut her hair, and filmed the abuse.

News coming in from #Jhenaidah district of #Bangladesh.

Islamists abducted and gang-raped a Hindu widow in Jhenaidah district.

Islamists also tortured her and cut her hair.

This is the horrific condition of the Hindu minorities of Bangladesh. pic.twitter.com/kAkwj1Plf6

— Hindu Voice (@HinduVoice_in) January 5, 2026

The dispute reportedly stemmed from a property transaction. A case was registered after the video circulated, and authorities began search operations for the accused.

#5 Threats Against Hindu District Commissioner Annapurna Debnath – 5 January 2026 – Kurigram

On 5 January 2026, District Commissioner Annapurna Debnath faced threats and communal abuse after cancelling the nomination of a Jamaat-e-Islami candidate due to dual citizenship. Supporters of the party reportedly stormed her office, hurled slurs, and demanded her resignation, alleging religious bias. Police provided security after slogans were raised questioning her right to hold office. The administration termed the incident an attempt to intimidate a constitutional authority performing statutory duties.

#6 Hindu Editor Rana Pratap Bairagi Shot Dead – 5 January 2026 – Jessore

In January 2026, Hindu businessman and newspaper editor Rana Pratap Bairagi was shot dead in the Keshabpur area of Jessore. Police said he was lured from his workplace before being attacked, indicating a targeted killing. The assailants escaped after the shooting. A murder case was registered, and investigations were launched. Media organisations and minority groups expressed concern over the killing of a journalist belonging to a minority community.

#7 Hindu Businessman Khokan Das Attacked and Set on Fire – 31 December 2025 – Chandpur

On the night of 31 December 2025, Khokan Das, a 50-year-old Hindu businessman, was attacked by a mob while returning home after closing his medicine shop. Police reports stated that he was beaten, stabbed, doused with petrol, and set on fire near Keurbhanga Bazaar. Khokan jumped into a pond to extinguish the flames but sustained severe injuries. A case was registered, and police began searching for the attackers.

#8 Hindu Man Bajendra Biswas Shot Inside Factory – 29 December 2025 – Mymensingh

On 29 December 2025, Bajendra Biswas (42) was shot dead inside a garment factory in Bhaluka, Mymensingh district. Police said the accused fired a shotgun during a confrontation inside the factory premises. The suspect was arrested along with the weapon. Authorities registered the case as murder following a workplace dispute, though local reports noted Bajendra’s role in community protection efforts.

#9 Hindu Youth Joy Sarkar Arrested Over Social Media Post – 27 December 2025 – Faridpur

On 27 December 2025, police in Faridpur arrested 22-year-old Joy Sarkar after a complaint alleged blasphemy over his social media comment stating that Sanatan Dharma is the world’s oldest religion. Following public pressure and fears of unrest, police detained him and produced him before a court, which sent him to jail.

#10 Gobinda Biswas Assaulted for Wearing Sacred Thread – 26 December 2025 – Khulna Division

On 26 December 2025, Hindu rickshaw puller Gobinda Biswas was assaulted by a mob near the Jhenaidah Municipality Gate after being accused of espionage due to a sacred red thread on his wrist. Witnesses said rumours spread rapidly, leading to a crowd attacking him.

Gobinda Biswas—a rickshaw puller. A red thread on his wrist was enough for extremists to brand him an “RAW agent.” He kept saying he was just a rickshaw puller, but no one listened.
The young man from Jhenaidah was brutally assaulted and left critically injured—his survival… pic.twitter.com/9qvDNgl7FA

— Sahidul Hasan Khokon (@SahidulKhokonbd) December 20, 2025

He sustained serious injuries and was hospitalised. Police registered a case after the incident.

#11 Madhur Canteen Vandalised – 24 December 2025 – Dhaka

On 24 December 2025, Madhur Canteen at Dhaka University was vandalised by a man chanting slogans and damaging property. University authorities and police confirmed the incident after videos circulated online.

A Radical chanting Islamic slogans and quoting Kazi Nazrul Islam vandalised histotical Madhur Canteen in Dhaka .

Madhur Canteen is not just a café. It is a living memory of the Language Movement, the Mass uprising, and the Liberation War.

Yunus is destroying Bangladesh pic.twitter.com/g1tIEeKx5j

— Megh Updates (@MeghUpdates) December 24, 2025

The accused identified himself during questioning. A case was registered for vandalism and public disorder.

#12 Hindu Youth Amrit Mandal Lynched – 24 December 2025 – Rajbari

On 24 December 2025, Amrit Mandal (29) was beaten to death by a mob in Rajbari district after being accused of extortion. Police said the mob assaulted him with sticks and rods, leading to fatal injuries. A murder case was registered, and investigations were initiated.

#13 Two Hindu Houses Burnt in Chittagong – 22 December 2025 – Chittagong

In the early hours of 22 December 2025, two Hindu houses in West Sultanpur village were set on fire. The families escaped, but property and livestock were destroyed. Police registered an arson case and began inquiries.

#14 Gobinda Biswas Assaulted Again in Jhenaidah – 20 December 2025 – Jhenaidah

On 20 December 2025, Gobinda Biswas was assaulted in Jhenaidah after rumours accused him of being an Indian agent due to a sacred thread. Police confirmed the assault and registered a case.

#15 House of Hindu Journalist Vandalised – 19 December 2025 – Dhaka

On 19 December 2025, the house of Hindu journalist Sushant Dasgupta was vandalised by a mob in Habiganj following protests linked to an unrelated incident.

Sushanta Dasgupta is a Bangladeshi investigative journalist based in London. He has written on the financial frauds of Yunus and the targetted attacks on Hindus. This is the price his family still in Bangladesh has to pay! https://t.co/LBvAot3ze6

— Deep Halder (@deepscribble) December 22, 2025

Family members escaped unharmed. Police registered a case and investigated.

#16 Hindu Youth Dipu Chandra Das Lynched – 19 December 2025 – Mymensingh

On 19 December 2025, Dipu Chandra Das was lynched in Bhaluka after allegations of blasphemy. His body was later set on fire. Police opened a murder investigation.

#17 Freedom Fighter Jogesh Chandra Roy and Wife Killed – 6 December 2025 – Rangpur

On 6 December 2025, Jogesh Chandra Roy (75), a Liberation War veteran, and his wife were found murdered in their home in Rangpur district. Police registered a double murder case.

#18 Hindu Trader Utpal Sarkar Murdered – 5 December 2025 – Faridpur

On December 5, 2025, fish trader Utpal Sarkar was stabbed to death during a robbery near Kalitala Bridge, Faridpur. Police registered a homicide case and searched for the attackers.

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The post Tracking Anti-Hindu Crimes In Muhammad Yunus’s Bangladesh: A Timeline Of Events From December 2025 To January 2026 appeared first on The Commune.

Between October 2024 and January 2026, Bangladesh witnessed a rapid deepening of engagement with China across political, economic, cultural, and military domains.

Following the change of power in Dhaka, a series of high-level meetings, defence procurements, infrastructure projects, cultural initiatives, and political interactions signalled a marked expansion of the China–Bangladesh relationship.

In this report, we take a look at 19 significant incidents that collectively illustrate the breadth and pace of this evolving nexus, based on official statements and media reports.

#1 Chinese Ambassador Meets Jamaat-e-Islami Chief – 12 January 2026  

On 12 January 2026, Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen paid a courtesy call on Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman at the party’s office in Dhaka’s Bashundhara area. The meeting focused on strengthening party-to-party relations, expanding political exchanges, and enhancing overall China–Bangladesh ties. Accompanied by senior embassy officials, the Ambassador discussed cooperation under the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership framework. Both sides reportedly agreed to deepen engagement across multiple sectors, presenting the interaction as cordial and constructive, and signalling Beijing’s growing outreach to influential Islamist political actors in Bangladesh.

#2 Chinese Literature Readers Club Launched in Dhaka – 26 December 

On 26 December 2025, the Chinese Literature Readers Club was inaugurated at the Apon Friendship Exchange Center in Baridhara, Dhaka, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of India–Bangladesh diplomatic relations. Officials from the Chinese Embassy and China Media Group jointly launched the initiative to promote Chinese literature in Bangla translation. Writers and publishers highlighted cultural exchange as a tool for long-term influence, with speakers stressing translation, folk narratives, and publishing collaborations as entry points for strengthening people-to-people and cultural ties between China and Bangladesh.

#3 CEAB–BCCCI Dialogue on Trade Disputes – 25 November 2025

A high-level meeting between the Bangladesh China Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCCI) and the Chinese Enterprise Association in Bangladesh (CEAB) took place on November 25, 2025. Discussions focused on removing trade barriers, reviving struggling industrial units through joint ventures, and resolving disputes via a proposed Joint Working Group. Bangladeshi representatives emphasised textiles as a priority sector, while both sides underlined legal and institutional mechanisms to smooth Chinese investment operations, reflecting growing economic interdependence.

#4 Bangladesh Approves Purchase of SY-400 Missile System – 2 November 2025

On 2 November 2025, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Defence approved the procurement of China’s SY-400 surface-to-surface missile system under the Forces Goal 2030 programme. The decision marked a significant upgrade in Bangladesh’s strike capability, with the system featuring long-range precision, rapid mobility, and high-speed strike potential. Defence analysts noted that the acquisition underscored Dhaka’s increasing reliance on Chinese military hardware and deepening defence cooperation with Beijing.

#5 China Pledges Support Against U.S. Tariffs – 29 July 2025

Speaking at a discussion organised by the Diplomatic Correspondents Association in Dhaka, Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen stated that China would assist Bangladesh in addressing the impact of U.S. tariffs. He described the tariffs as coercive and contrary to WTO principles. The Ambassador also proposed trilateral cooperation involving China, Bangladesh, and Pakistan to safeguard regional sovereignty and economic development, positioning Beijing as a strategic counterweight to Western trade pressure.

#6 Chinese Investments Create 550,000 Jobs – 4 June 2025 

On 4 June 2025, the President of the Chinese Enterprise Association in Bangladesh stated that Chinese firms had invested over $11 billion in Bangladesh since 2016, generating approximately 550,000 jobs. Investments spanned power, transport, water, and digital sectors, with Chinese companies accounting for a majority share of private power generation capacity. The statement reinforced China’s role as Bangladesh’s largest foreign investor and a central driver of its infrastructure-led growth.

#7 Muhammad Yunus Calls China Partnership a ‘Strategic Moment’ – 1 June 2025 

At the China–Bangladesh Investment and Trade Conference in Dhaka, Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus urged Chinese investors to participate in Bangladesh’s transformation at what he termed a strategic moment. He said he had personally requested President Xi Jinping to encourage Chinese investment. Chinese officials reaffirmed support for enhancing export capacity and integrated trade, highlighting the convergence of Bangladesh’s development agenda with Chinese economic outreach.

#8 New MoU Strengthens Textile Cooperation – 1 June 2025 

On the same day as the above event, an MoU was signed between Chinese and Bangladeshi textile industry bodies to deepen cooperation in apparel and textile manufacturing. The agreement focused on joint exhibitions, trade promotion, and sustainable innovation. Signed during a high-level Chinese delegation’s visit, the MoU reflected China’s growing role in Bangladesh’s export-oriented textile sector and its efforts to integrate Bangladeshi manufacturing into Chinese-linked supply chains.

#9 Bangladesh Begins Mango Exports to China – 28 May 2025 

Bangladesh announced its first-ever mango exports to China, with 50 tons scheduled for shipment in 2025. Officials said discussions with Chinese authorities were finalised to open the market. The initiative was presented as part of a broader push to diversify agricultural exports, with China emerging as a key destination. The move highlighted expanding trade ties beyond infrastructure and industry into agriculture.

#10 Missile and Air Defence Talks With China – 13 May 2025 

Senior Bangladeshi army officials met representatives of China Vanguard Co. Ltd to discuss acquiring advanced air defence systems, including HQ-17AE and FK-3 missiles and radar platforms. The talks aimed to modernise Bangladesh’s air defence network, with additional discussions on portable missile systems for naval use. The engagement pointed to deepening military-technical cooperation with China.

#11 Chinese Envoy Promotes Beijing’s Development Model – 11 May 2025 

At a readers’ forum on “Xi Jinping: The Governance of China,” Ambassador Yao Wen suggested Bangladesh could draw lessons from China’s modernization model. He argued that modernization need not follow Western pathways and highlighted similarities between Chinese governance ideas and Bangladesh’s development vision. Political leaders from multiple parties attended, reflecting China’s outreach across Bangladesh’s political spectrum.

#12 Reaffirmation of 50-Year Water Management Plan – 20 April 2025 

During a meeting at the state guest house Jamuna, Bangladesh and China reaffirmed plans for a long-term water management master plan, including work on the Teesta River. Proposals also included Chinese-backed healthcare projects. The meeting highlighted strategic infrastructure and resource cooperation, positioning China as a long-term development partner.

#13 $2.1 Billion Investment Deal Signed in Beijing – 28 March 2025 

Bangladesh secured $2.1 billion in Chinese investment, loans, and grants during an official visit to Beijing. The funds were allocated primarily for infrastructure, energy, and digital projects, with a mix of low-interest loans and direct investment. The agreement provided a significant boost to bilateral economic ties and supported Bangladesh’s foreign exchange position.

#14 China Calls Itself Bangladesh’s ‘Most Trustworthy Partner’ – 10 March 2025 

At a dinner hosted by a senior Bangladeshi political leader, Ambassador Yao Wen described China as Bangladesh’s most reliable partner. The event followed a multi-party Bangladeshi delegation’s visit to China. Participants shared experiences of Chinese hospitality, underscoring Beijing’s efforts to build goodwill across political, academic, and media circles.

#15 China Pledges 1,000-Bed Friendship Hospital – 20-24 January 2025 

During an official visit to China, Bangladesh’s foreign affairs adviser requested medical cooperation for Bangladeshi patients. China agreed to designate hospitals for Bangladeshi nationals and pledged support for a 1,000-bed Bangladesh–China Friendship Hospital in Dhaka. The commitment marked a significant expansion of bilateral cooperation in healthcare.

#16 China Agrees to Ease BRI Loan Terms – 21 January 2025  

China verbally agreed to ease the terms of Belt and Road Initiative loans to Bangladesh by reducing interest rates and extending repayment periods. The assurance came amid discussions on infrastructure financing, healthcare cooperation, and data sharing. Analysts viewed the move as an effort to sustain Chinese projects while addressing debt sustainability concerns.

#17 China-Funded Padma Bridge Rail Link Inaugurated – 24 December 2024 

Bangladesh inaugurated the China-funded Padma Bridge Rail Link, the country’s largest railway project. Built under the Belt and Road Initiative, the 170-kilometre line significantly reduced travel time between Dhaka and southwestern regions. The project symbolised China’s central role in Bangladesh’s transport infrastructure development.

#18 Chinese Naval Ships Visit Bangladesh – 12 October 2024 

Two Chinese naval vessels arrived at Chattogram port on a goodwill visit, marking the first such visit in four years and the first by a foreign fleet after the interim government assumed power. The visit underscored growing maritime and defence ties between the two countries.

#19 China Backs Bangladesh’s Political Shift – 10 October 2024

China publicly welcomed the student-led protests in Bangladesh that resulted in the collapse of the previous government, signalling its support for the country’s political transition. During a meeting with representatives of the protest movement, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen praised the “courage and wisdom” shown by students who spearheaded the unrest. Some of these representatives have since assumed roles in the interim administration headed by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. Beijing’s remarks were viewed as an endorsement of the transitional process in Bangladesh.

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The post From Missiles To Madrassas: How China Is Expanding Its Footprint In Bangladesh appeared first on The Commune.

Violent protests have erupted across Bangladesh following the death of prominent youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi, who succumbed to gunshot injuries at Singapore General Hospital last week. Hadi, 32, had been critically wounded in an assassination attempt in Dhaka days earlier, triggering widespread unrest and political mobilisation.

Hadi was a key figure in Bangladesh’s 2024 student-led uprising and served as the spokesperson of Inquilab Mancha, also referred to as the “Platform for Revolution.” He had recently announced plans to contest the Dhaka-8 parliamentary constituency in Bijoynagar in the next general elections, expected in February 2026.

Viral Video Triggers Fresh Controversy

Amid the ongoing protests, a video broadcast by NewsX and widely circulated on social media has sparked further controversy. The footage allegedly shows a young woman identified in reports as Hadi’s sister making a series of incendiary remarks.

According to the video, the woman is heard raising slogans against India and claiming that a “war” against India began 200 years ago. She allegedly calls for every Muslim in Bangladesh, irrespective of gender or age, to be made a “jihadi,” including children. The video claims she urged households across the country to provide jihadi training to all members in order to “fight India.”

It is further alleged that she asked Bangladeshis to raise their voices and act against those who support India. References were also made in the video to remarks attributed to former Pakistani leader Zulfikar Ali Bhutto during the 1971 war, with similar language reportedly echoed in her statements.

She is allegedly heard saying that the 200-year-old war must be completed and asserting that India is attempting to delay Bangladesh’s elections, while insisting that elections would be held under any circumstances. She is also reported to have stated that those who support India have no right to live in Bangladesh.

BIG NEWS Sister of radical Osman Hadi threatens India.

She said “This war began 200 years ago”

Same India helped Bangladesh achieve Independence in 1971.
pic.twitter.com/82SRo4TvFy

— News Algebra (@NewsAlgebraIND) December 21, 2025

 Statements Praising Hadi and Threatening India

Separate social media clips and posts circulating alongside the video quote the woman as saying that jihadi training should be given to everyone in every home, irrespective of gender, including children, to fight India. She is also quoted as drawing comparisons between Hadi and Indian freedom fighters, stating that while she had not seen figures such as Khudiram Bose or Chandrashekhar Azad, she had seen Osman Hadi and described him as a revolutionary leader.

One widely shared clip includes an alleged threat against India, declaring that Bangladeshis would not rest until “Indian dogs” were wiped out, and reiterating the claim that the war began 200 years ago. The authenticity of these clips has not been independently verified, but they have circulated extensively online and been rebroadcast by multiple outlets.

Anti-India Sentiment Intensifies

The remarks have further inflamed an already rising wave of anti-India sentiment amid the unrest. Sections of political leaders and protest groups have alleged, without providing evidence, that those responsible for attacking Hadi fled to India and are being sheltered by New Delhi. These claims have not been independently verified but have contributed to heightened hostility towards India.

Observers note that the current unrest reflects a broader shift in Bangladesh’s political landscape over the past year. The country has drawn closer to China economically and politically, while Pakistan’s intelligence establishment is believed by analysts to be amplifying anti-India narratives to influence domestic opinion.

Authorities in Bangladesh have not yet issued an official response specifically addressing the viral video, even as protests, political accusations, and regional tensions continue to escalate following Sharif Osman Hadi’s killing.

Source: News18

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The post “200-Year-Old War Must Be Finished, Wipe Out Indian Dogs”, Slain Bangladeshi ‘Student Leader’ Osman Hadi’s Sister Says appeared first on The Commune.

Bangladesh has witnessed another fatal mob assault involving a Hindu man, coming just days after the lynching of Dipu Chandra Das, whose killing triggered widespread outrage. According to local media reports on Thursday, a 29-year-old man identified as Amrit Mondal, also known as Samrat, was beaten to death in the Pangsha area of Rajbari district, roughly three and a half hours from Dhaka.

Residents told The Daily Star that Samrat was believed to be the head of a local criminal group known as “Samrat Bahini,” allegedly engaged in extortion and other illegal activities. He had reportedly left Bangladesh following the removal of Sheikh Hasina last year and had returned recently to his native village of Hosendanga in Kalimohor union.

The incident reportedly took place around 11 pm on Wednesday when Samrat and several associates went to the home of a villager, Shahidul Islam, allegedly to demand money. Family members raised an alarm, accusing the group of robbery, prompting nearby villagers to intervene. While most of the group managed to escape, Samrat was caught and beaten by the crowd.

Assistant Superintendent of Police Debrata Sarkar of the Pangsha Circle said officers managed to pull Samrat from the mob and rushed him to a hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead. Police confirmed that Samrat had multiple cases pending against him at Pangsha police station, including a murder charge. One of his associates, Mohammad Selim, was arrested during follow-up operations, and police recovered a pistol and another firearm.

The killing has further heightened tensions in Bangladesh, where concerns over minority safety have intensified following the recent lynching of Dipu Chandra Das, a 27-year-old factory worker in Mymensingh. Das was attacked last Thursday after a co-worker accused him of blasphemy. A mob reportedly beat him to death, hung his body, and set it on fire.

The murder sparked protests and condemnation both within Bangladesh and abroad, including demonstrations in India. Authorities later stated that there was no evidence supporting the blasphemy allegation and suggested the violence may have stemmed from a workplace dispute. At least 12 individuals have been arrested in connection with Das’s killing.

Bangladesh’s Education Adviser, Professor C R Abrar, visited Das’s family earlier this week to offer condolences. Interim government chief adviser Muhammad Yunus said in a social media post that the visit was intended to convey the government’s sympathy and its commitment to supporting the bereaved family.

Source: NDTV

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The post Another Hindu Beaten To Death In Mobocracy Bangladesh Days After Dipu Chandra Das Was Lynched And Set Ablaze appeared first on The Commune.

A 2024 video interview featuring senior journalist Siddharth Varadarajan and Arfa Khanum Sherwani, published by The Wire, has resurfaced amid renewed scrutiny, as a series of violent incidents targeting Hindu minorities continue to be reported from Bangladesh.

The interview was recorded during the period of political turmoil in Bangladesh when the Army assumed control following unrest. In the conversation, Varadarajan dismissed concerns being raised about the safety of Hindus and Christians in Bangladesh, describing such claims as unfounded.

Responding to Sherwani’s question about the fate of religious minorities, he said: “All this, all this, all this is baseless and foolish talk.” Earlier in the exchange, Varadarajan stated, “If you look closely at the incidents of the last two–three days, this entire movement is not in the hands of the army. Nor is it that—although in right-wing circles in India people are saying that now Bangladesh will directly fall under the sway of Islamic fanaticism—various kinds of speculations are being made, all sorts of allegations are being levelled.”

A reminder!

Back when the coup in Bangladesh happened

Sid Varadarajan of the Wire had said that those who worry about Hindus in Bangladesh are “bewakoof”

Bewakoof… pic.twitter.com/bQ6gMWF4ow

— Abhishek (@AbhishBanerj) December 23, 2025

The remarks have come under renewed attention as Bangladesh has witnessed repeated incidents of violence against Hindus in the months following the 2024 political upheaval. Reports from multiple locations have documented attacks on Hindu homes, vandalism of temples, targeted violence during religious festivals, and incidents of arson. Most recently, a Hindu factory worker in Bangladesh was lynched by a mob over allegations of blasphemy; police later stated that no evidence was found to substantiate the accusation.

It is important to note that the violence has not been confined to isolated episodes but has continued across different periods and regions, raising concerns among rights groups and community representatives.

How The Wire Peddled Pakistani Propaganda During Op Sindoor

Their downplaying and Islamist appeasement knows no bounds. More recently, following the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025, that was followed by India’s precision strikes on terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir under Operation Sindoor, criticism has emerged over the editorial stance adopted by The Wire during its coverage of the operation.

During a broadcast on The Wire, journalist Arfa Khanum Sherwani questioned the outcome of the operation, stating, “We do not want bloodshed… Pakistan says that many of its civilians were killed and of course there were not terrorists who died.” The remarks echoed claims made by Pakistani authorities, despite the absence of independent verification at the time. These comments repeated Islamabad’s narrative without reference to official Indian briefings or available evidence.

Editor Siddharth Varadarajan did not publicly challenge the assertions during the broadcast. He instead said, “We must tell them don’t worry, we are there for you… when two countries which have a historical and cultural connection… a war must not happen between them.”

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The post ‘Baseless And Foolish’ – That’s How The Wire Dismissed Hindu Fears In Bangladesh Following The Coup appeared first on The Commune.

A report published by the The New York Times on 22 December 2025, detailing the lynching of a Hindu garment worker in Bangladesh, has come under sharp criticism from commentators and readers who accuse the newspaper of ideological bias, selective context, and narrative dilution in its coverage of the crime.

The New York Times article reported the killing of Dipu Chandra Das, a 27-year-old Hindu employee at a garment factory near Dhaka, who was accused by Muslim co-workers of blasphemy following a workplace discussion. According to the report, Das was dragged into the street by colleagues, where an angry mob lynched him, tied his body to a tree, and set it on fire. Bangladeshi authorities later arrested 12 people in connection with the killing, while police said they were unable to verify any statement made by Das that could substantiate the blasphemy allegation.

While acknowledging the brutality of the incident, critics argue that the newspaper’s framing diluted the specific religious nature of the crime by placing it within what it described as a “wider pattern of religious intolerance in South Asia.”

They point out that the article juxtaposed the lynching of a Hindu in Bangladesh with references to unrelated incidents in India, including violence by “Hindu vigilantes” against Muslims, thereby shifting focus away from the crime at hand.

Observers have also recalled that, just days earlier, an Indian court had convicted 10 Muslim men for the lynching of Ram Gopal Mishra, a Hindu, a fact not referenced in the New York Times report. Critics contend that such omissions contribute to an unbalanced portrayal in which violence against Hindus in Muslim-majority contexts is relativised, while unrelated incidents elsewhere are inserted to maintain a preconceived regional narrative.

Another point of contention has been the language used to describe the perpetrators. While the article noted that Das’s co-workers accused him of blasphemy, critics argue that the report avoided identifying the attackers as part of a broader pattern of Islamist or religiously motivated violence. Instead, they were largely described as “co-workers” or members of an angry mob, despite the killing being triggered by an accusation of insulting Islam’s Prophet Muhammad – a pattern seen in multiple blasphemy-related lynchings in the region.

The New York Times article also linked the incident to political instability in Bangladesh following the fall of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the interim leadership of Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. While human rights groups cited in the report expressed concern about the safety of religious minorities, critics say the emphasis on governance challenges further softened accountability for religious extremism by framing the murder as a symptom of disorder rather than a targeted act of communal violence.

Several commentators have accused the report’s authors, Saif Hasnat, Mujib Mashal, and contributor Suhasini Raj, of employing what they describe as a familiar editorial template: contextualising violence against Hindus within a broader regional comparison that prominently features alleged Hindu extremism in India, even when the primary incident occurs outside India and involves Muslim perpetrators.

This is exactly the same template that Western media employs to cover religious violence in the region which they prefer calling South Asia rather than the Indian sub-continent; particularly allegations that crimes against Hindus in Muslim-majority countries are frequently reframed to avoid direct attribution of religious motivation, while violence involving Hindus elsewhere is foregrounded as ideological or majoritarian.

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The post How The New York Times Diluted A Hindu Lynching In Bangladesh Into A ‘South Asia’ Narrative appeared first on The Commune.

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has come under sharp criticism on social media over allegations of selective focus and double standards in its assessment of religious freedom violations worldwide, particularly in relation to India and Bangladesh.

Critics have pointed out that while USCIRF has repeatedly designated India as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) and highlighted individual cases to build what they describe as a specific narrative, it has not accorded the same classification to Bangladesh, despite repeated instances of violence against religious minorities there.

According to commentators, USCIRF does not classify Bangladesh even under the CPC category.

In its 2025 Annual Report, the commission acknowledged that Hindus in Bangladesh are often targeted more due to their political affiliations than purely for religious reasons.

Nevertheless, Bangladesh was not designated as a CPC, a decision that has drawn criticism in light of recent violent incidents.

In recent days, USCIRF has issued statements or comments on a range of global cases, including the trial of Umar Khalid in India, the Bondi Beach attack on Jewish individuals in Australia, the assassination of a Christian pastor in Pakistan, and the case of a Catholic prisoner in China.

Observers noted that these interventions were promptly shared on the commission’s official social media platforms.

However, critics have highlighted what they describe as a conspicuous silence from USCIRF regarding the killing of Dipu Chandra Das, who was allegedly murdered by a radical Islamist mob in Bangladesh. They noted that none of the current USCIRF commissioners had publicly commented on the incident, despite its severity and in a case where there was absolutely no proof of the blasphemy charges.

Attention has also been drawn to the composition of the commission itself. Critics allege that USCIRF’s commissioners are predominantly practising Catholics, followed by prominent Muslim members, with some Jewish representation, while Hindus, who constitute roughly 15% of the global population, have no representation on the body. This, they argue, raises questions about balance and perspective in the commission’s reporting and priorities.

The criticism has reignited a broader debate over whether USCIRF functions as an impartial watchdog on religious freedom or selectively amplifies certain narratives while overlooking others. As of now, USCIRF has not issued a response addressing the specific allegations of bias or its silence on the killing of Dipu Chandra Das in Bangladesh.

(This article is based on an X Thread By The Hawk Eye)

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The post USCIRF Targets Modi’s India As “Country Of Particular Concern” While Ignoring Violence Against Hindu Minority In Islamist Mobocracy Bangladesh Ruled By Muhammad Yunus appeared first on The Commune.

Between 11 and 21 December 2025, Bangladesh witnessed a sharp escalation in violence marked by mob attacks, arson, political unrest, and targeted assaults on minorities especially the Hindus, media institutions, and diplomatic premises. This report documents ten significant incidents during this period, including the lynching of a Hindu man and multiple attacks linked to rumours, political tensions, and extremist mobilisation.

#1 Hindu Rickshaw Puller Assaulted Over ‘RAW Agent’ Rumour – 20 December 2025 – Jhenaidah district, Khulna Division

Gobinda Biswas, a Hindu rickshaw puller, was brutally assaulted by a mob after rumours circulated that he was an Indian intelligence agent. The suspicion reportedly arose because Biswas was wearing a sacred red thread on his wrist. Locals allegedly branded him a RAW operative, leading to a crowd gathering and attacking him. The assault highlighted how religious markers are being weaponised amid heightened anti-India sentiment. Biswas sustained serious injuries as bystanders failed to intervene.

#2 Bangladesh Army Allows Mob to Torch The Daily Star Office – 20 December 2025 – Dhaka

During unrest in Dhaka, video footage showed Bangladesh Army personnel permitting a mob to vandalise and burn the office of The Daily Star. Soldiers reportedly asked journalists and staff for 20 minutes to evacuate before withdrawing. After the evacuation, the mob set the building ablaze, causing extensive damage. Media bodies expressed concern that state forces failed to prevent, and effectively enabled, an attack on one of the country’s leading newspapers.

#3 Protesters Set Fire to Prothom Alo Office – 19 December 2025 – Dhaka

Violent protesters attacked the Dhaka office of Prothom Alo, setting parts of the media house on fire and forcing journalists to flee. The attack occurred amid widespread unrest in the capital, where multiple properties were vandalised. Journalists narrowly escaped as mobs targeted the building. Authorities later claimed investigations were underway, but no immediate arrests were reported.

#4 Seven-Year-Old Girl Killed in Arson Attack on BNP Leader’s Home – 19 December 2025 – Lakshmipur Sadar, Lakshmipur District

A seven-year-old girl was killed when attackers set fire to the house of a local Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader. The assailants reportedly locked the family inside before torching the residence. Three other family members sustained critical injuries and were rushed to hospital. The child died at the scene. Police launched an investigation, but the incident intensified fears about civilian casualties amid escalating partisan clashes.

#5 Hindu Youth Dipu Chandra Das Lynched Over Alleged Blasphemy – 19 December 2025 – Bhaluka upazila, Mymensingh District

Dipu Chandra Das, a Hindu garment worker, was lynched by a mob after false allegations of blasphemy. Accused of insulting Prophet Muhammad, Das was beaten to death, tied to a tree, and his body was set on fire. Police later confirmed they could not verify any blasphemous statement. Twelve people were arrested. The killing sparked outrage and renewed fears over blasphemy-related violence targeting minorities. Rights groups warned that extremist narratives and mob justice were increasingly replacing rule of law.

#6 Protesters Attack Indian Deputy High Commissioner’s Residence – 19 December 2025 – Chattogram

Protesters attacked the residence of India’s Deputy High Commissioner in Chattogram, pelting the building with bricks amid rising anti-India demonstrations. Security was tightened around Indian missions as demonstrators gathered near diplomatic properties. Indian officials condemned the attack, while Bangladeshi authorities promised increased protection.

#7 Anti-India Protesters March Toward Indian Missions – 18 December 2025 – Multiple cities, including Rajshahi and Khulna

Anti-India protests intensified as demonstrators attempted to march toward Indian diplomatic missions. Clashes erupted between protesters and police, prompting India to temporarily shut Visa Application Centres in Rajshahi and Khulna. Authorities cited security threats linked to radical groups. Protesters staged sit-ins and raised anti-India slogans, escalating fears of further violence.

#8 India Shuts Dhaka Visa Centre Over Security Threats – 17 December 2025 – Dhaka

India closed its Visa Application Centre in Dhaka citing deteriorating security conditions and threats from radical leaders. The move followed hate speeches and warnings targeting Indian diplomatic premises. Indian authorities said the closure was a precautionary step to protect staff and applicants.

#9 Bangladesh Summons Indian High Commissioner Over Shooting Incident – 14 December 2025 – Dhaka

Bangladesh summoned India’s High Commissioner Pranay Verma to protest the shooting of Sharif Osman Hadi, convener of Inqilab Moncho, in Dhaka. Bangladesh urged India to arrest and extradite suspects if they had fled across the border.

#10 Hindu Freedom Fighter and Wife Found Murdered at Home – 11 December 2025 – Taraganj, Rangpur District

Jogesh Chandra Roy, a 75-year-old Hindu freedom fighter of Bangladesh’s 1971 Liberation War, and his wife Subarna Roy were found murdered in their home. Neighbours discovered their bodies after receiving no response. Police suspected they were killed by blunt-force trauma. Investigations were launched amid fears of targeted violence against Hindus.

Not Chief Adviser But Chief Mobster Of Bangladesh

December 2025 stripped Muhammad Yunus of every moral claim he has ever made. Under his watch, Bangladesh descended into mob rule—Hindus lynched and burned over rumours, media houses torched with the army standing aside, diplomats attacked, and even a 1971 freedom fighter murdered in his home. This was not chaos; it was state collapse enabled by cowardice and complicity.

Yunus may enjoy applause abroad, but at home his leadership presided over fear, anarchy, and the normalisation of extremist violence. A government that cannot protect its minorities, its press, or its sovereignty has lost all legitimacy. December 2025 will be remembered as the moment Yunus’s carefully crafted image died—buried under the ashes of a country he failed to govern.

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The post Savagery & Mobocracy In Muhammad Yunus’ Bangladesh: 10 Incidents Of Violence, Lynching And Arson In 10 Days appeared first on The Commune.

The death sentence handed down to former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina by the reconstituted International Crimes Tribunal is more than a legal verdict; it is a political earthquake. And like all political earthquakes in the subcontinent, its rumblings carry the unmistakable resonance of history.

The comparison many analysts have drawn between Hasina’s trial in 2025 and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s trial in Pakistan in 1978 is not an exaggeration; it is a warning. A warning that when courts become theaters and justice becomes a prop for political vendettas, the nation drifts into dangerous waters.

The tribunal that delivered Hasina’s sentence was created to prosecute the atrocities committed during the 1971 Liberation War. Its purpose was to close old wounds, bring justice to victims, and honor the foundational values of Bangladesh. But the Yunus-led interim government’s decision to expand the tribunal’s jurisdiction in 2024, giving it the authority to try contemporary political actors, weaponized the institution.

Instead of healing historical traumas, it has now become an instrument to manufacture new ones. Hasina was tried in absentia, denied the opportunity to testify directly, barred from cross-examining witnesses, and subjected to a hastily conducted judicial process that resembled a political purge rather than a legitimate trial.

Supporters of the verdict might argue that Hasina must be held accountable for alleged abuses committed during her tenure. But accountability must arise from a process that upholds the basic tenets of justice. What transpired instead was a judicial spectacle: rushed proceedings, opaque evidence, and a tribunal whose neutrality had evaporated long before the verdict was announced.

In politics, optics matter, and the optics here are unmistakable: a regime intent on erasing its predecessors, using the legal system as a sword rather than a scale.

This is where the shadow of Bhutto looms large. Bhutto’s trial in 1978 under Pakistan’s General Zia-ul-Haq is now universally recognized as a travesty. Conducted under pressure, presided over by a judiciary molded by the military regime, and fueled by political animosity, Bhutto’s hanging remains one of the darkest chapters in South Asian judicial history.

Decades later, even Pakistan’s Supreme Court conceded that Bhutto had not been granted a fair trial. The parallels to Hasina are too strong to dismiss: a toppled leader, a new regime desperate to consolidate power, a judiciary re-engineered to comply, and a verdict that seems designed to eliminate political opposition rather than deliver justice.

Bangladesh, unlike Pakistan, was born out of a struggle for secular democracy. The Awami League under Sheikh Mujibur Rahman built its identity on linguistic nationalism and liberation from Pakistani militarism. But in recent years, the drift in Dhaka has been troubling.

The interim government’s accommodation of Islamist groups previously barred from politics, its shrinking tolerance for dissent, and its aggressive dismantling of the Awami League’s organizational structures all indicate an ideological shift, a shift that eerily resembles Pakistan under Zia. This is not merely about punishing Hasina; it is about rewriting the ideological DNA of the republic.

By sentencing Hasina to death, the interim regime has sent a message to its domestic rivals: political displacement will not stop at exile; it may end at the gallows. For a nation that prides itself on emerging from the ashes of genocide and dictatorship, this is an alarming regression.

Bangladesh’s political system has always been turbulent, but this verdict threatens to push it into a new phase: one where political competition is no longer mediated through elections or parliamentary processes but through courts and punitive tribunals acting under executive influence.

For India, the developments in Bangladesh carry profound strategic implications. New Delhi has long regarded Dhaka as a key ally in maintaining stability in the Northeast, combating cross-border terror networks, and managing migration flows. Sheikh Hasina’s government played an instrumental role in neutralizing extremist groups and strengthening bilateral cooperation.

Her ouster, followed by a death sentence delivered under dubious legal circumstances, destabilizes the regional balance. Bangladesh drifting toward Islamist politics even moderately threatens to reopen security challenges that India spent years combating. The Northeast, already sensitive, cannot afford a Bangladesh where anti-India political currents regain strength.

Moreover, the verdict raises questions about the future of Bangladesh’s democratic institutions. If courts can be repurposed to eliminate political opponents, then elections cease to be meaningful. The interim regime may claim to be restoring democracy, but a democracy built on judicial intimidation is hollow.

Even critics of Hasina’s governance and she had many recognized that justice cannot be selective. Her trial sets a precedent that any future government could exploit, trapping Bangladesh in a cycle of judicial vengeance with no exit.

The human rights dimension cannot be ignored either. Trials in absentia belong to authoritarian playbooks, not democratic ones. Executing a former prime minister under such circumstances violates international norms and invites scrutiny from global bodies. It signals to the world that Bangladesh is turning inward, away from democratic accountability and toward ideological consolidation. Nations that rely on international legitimacy do not pass death sentences in politically charged trials without expecting consequences.

This is why the comparison to Bhutto is so powerful. Bhutto’s execution did not strengthen Pakistan. It delegitimized its judiciary, deepened political polarization, emboldened authoritarian forces, and created a martyr whose shadow haunted Pakistani politics for generations. Bangladesh now stands at a similar crossroads.

Hasina’s sentence risks creating a political vacuum filled not by democratic forces but by opportunistic alliances of Islamist groups, disillusioned power centers, and authoritarian actors seeking permanence.

The tragedy of South Asian politics is that its leaders seldom learn from history. Institutions are reshaped to serve immediate goals, only to later become instruments of oppression for those who once controlled them. The tribunal that now convicts Hasina with sweeping authority may one day be turned against the very people who empowered it. That is the nature of political tools; they rarely remain in one set of hands for long.

Bangladesh’s soul was forged in the fires of 1971. Its promise was democracy, secularism, and justice. By sentencing Sheikh Hasina to death in a trial that carries the unmistakable scent of political revenge, the country risks abandoning that promise. The world, and especially India, must watch with vigilance.

Not because Hasina must be defended uncritically, but because democracy must be defended vigorously. When justice becomes indistinguishable from politics, nations lose their moral compass. And when nations lose their moral compass, history often the darkest parts of it has a way of repeating itself.

Dr. Prosenjit Nath is a techie, political analyst, and author.

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The post Bangladesh’s Political Purge: Sheikh Hasina’s ‘Death Sentence’ Is A Warning To The Subcontinent appeared first on The Commune.