The council reported at least 51 incidents of violence against minorities in December 2025 alone. These include 10 murders, 10 incidents of theft and robbery, 23 cases of occupation, looting and arson involving homes, business establishments, temples and land, four cases of detention and torture on false allegations of religious blasphemy and being agents of the RAW, one attempted rape, and three incidents of physical assault.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The violence has persisted into the new year, with several brutal incidents in the first week of January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sheikh Hasina asks India to stand firmly for democracy, minority protection<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Civil society leaders urge parties to pledge minority rights in election manifestos<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n On January 2, paddy crops on land belonging to Satyaranjan Das in Ramgati, Lakshmipur, were set ablaze. The next day, businessman Khokon Chandra Das was hacked and burned to death in Shariatpur. Robberies occurred at the homes of Milon Das in Chattogram and Sanu Das in Cumilla, where families were held hostage and valuables\u2014including gold, silver, and cash\u2014were stolen.<\/p>\n\n\n January 4 saw the looting of approximately 30 bhori of gold from trader Shubho Poddar’s shop, alongside the horrific rape and torture of a 40-year-old Hindu widow in Kaliganj, Jhenaidah\u2014she was tied to a tree, her head shaved, and severely beaten. Extremists also demanded the removal of Kurigram Deputy Commissioner Annapurna Debnath, labeling her an ISKCON member and ally of the previous government for fulfilling her election duties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On January 5, ice factory owner Rana Pratap Bairagi was publicly shot and had his throat slit in Manirampur, Jashore, while grocery shop owner Moni Chakraborty was stabbed to death in Palash, Narsingdi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Minority groups concerned over violence, propaganda by radical Islamists<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/dailyrepublicbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/BHBCOP-Jan-6-819x1024.jpeg\")
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