Brutal Factory Shooting of Hindu Man Exposes Deepening Minority Insecurity in Bangladesh

A 37-year-old Hindu businessman and community figure, Rana Pratap Bairagi, was ruthlessly shot to death in broad daylight after being called out of his ice factory by unidentified assailants in the Monirampur area of Jessore district. The attackers — reportedly arriving on a motorcycle — led him away from his workplace and fired multiple rounds into him, including seven bullets, killing him on the spot.

The victim was not only a local entrepreneur but also served as the acting editor of a regional newspaper, making the killing both a violent crime and a chilling message to voices within Bangladesh’s minority communities. 

A Pattern of Targeted Violence

This targeted killing is the latest in a disturbing series of violent attacks against members of the Hindu community — Bangladesh’s largest religious minority — over recent weeks. In the past few days:

• Another Hindu man, Sarat Mani Chakraborty (40), was fatally attacked with sharp weapons at his grocery shop in Narsingdi district and later died from his injuries.

• Reports indicate multiple incidents of mob violence, arson, and even rape against minority Hindus in other districts. 

Human rights observers note that these killings now total at least six Hindu men in just 18 days, an unusually high number for a country that has historically been more religiously diverse and tolerant. 

Security Concerns Deepen

For many in the Hindu community, this string of violence has sparked deep fear and growing insecurity. Locals highlight that Bairagi had been paying so-called “protection fees” to local groups for months before the shooting — yet that did not spare him, intensifying fears that ordinary economic safeguards offer no real protection.

Family members and community leaders describe a climate of anxiety and despair, especially among smaller minority populations who feel vulnerable and exposed amid rising law and order challenges. Some observers argue that the lack of clear protection mechanisms and prompt justice is emboldening attackers. 

Political and Social Context

The spike in attacks comes amid broader unrest and political instability in Bangladesh, with impending national elections and heightened tensions across social groups. While authorities have not publicly confirmed that these killings were motivated by communal hatred, many family members and minority advocates argue that religious identity and lack of adequate protection are serious factors in the continued violence. 

Human rights groups and international observers have repeatedly called on Bangladesh’s government and law enforcement to step up protections for vulnerable communities, ensure swift justice for perpetrators, and adopt stronger measures to prevent escalation. 

Calls for Accountability and Protection

The latest killing has triggered calls from civil society and neighbouring countries’ leaders for a transparent investigation and greater minority safeguards. Without decisive action, many fear that the situation could deteriorate further, undermining Bangladesh’s constitutional guarantees of religious freedom and equality for all citizens.