Bangladeshi Hindu Garage Worker Burnt Alive in Suspected Hate Crime

A 23-year-old Hindu youth, identified as Chanchal Chandra Bhowmik, was burnt alive inside his shop in Narsingdi, Bangladesh, late on the night of Friday, January 23, in what his family and local residents allege was a premeditated killing.

According to eyewitness accounts, the assailant locked the shop’s shutter from the outside, poured petrol over the premises, and set it ablaze while Chanchal was sleeping inside. Witnesses stated that the attacker remained outside until the fire fully engulfed the shop and Chanchal succumbed to the flames, before fleeing the scene.

Chanchal, described by neighbors and his employer as a quiet and hardworking young man with no known personal disputes, had been working at a local garage in Narsingdi for nearly six years and lived at the workplace. He was the sole breadwinner for his family, supporting his ailing mother, a disabled elder brother, and a younger sibling following the death of his father.

Family members and local residents believe the killing was carefully planned and may have been motivated by religious hatred. The incident has intensified fears within the Hindu community, particularly in light of similar attacks reported in recent months.

In December, Khokon Chandra Das, a 50-year-old Hindu businessman from Shariatpur district, died after being attacked by a mob while returning home. Das, who owned a small medicine shop, was reportedly stabbed, beaten, doused with petrol, and set on fire.

In another incident, garment worker Dipu Chandra Das was beaten to death by a mob, stripped naked, and his body set ablaze—an act that sparked widespread condemnation.

These incidents have drawn political reactions in India, with the West Bengal unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) describing the killings as part of a broader and troubling pattern of violence targeting Bengali Hindus in Bangladesh.

The recent attacks have heightened concerns among minority communities and human rights observers, who are calling for thorough investigations and accountability to ensure justice for the victims and prevent further violence.