Anger spills onto streets in India, Bangladesh as protests erupt over lynching of Hindu youth

Kolkata: Protesters on Monday gathered outside the Bangladesh High Commission in Kolkata, expressing anger over the lynching of a Hindu youth, Dipu Chandra Das, in Bangladesh’s Mymensingh district.

The protest was led by BJP leader and Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, along with other party leaders and supporters. Demonstrators condemned the killing and demanded accountability from the Bangladeshi authorities.

Addressing the gathering, Adhikari said the incident had deeply angered the Hindu community and warned of intensified protests. “Dipu Das was burnt alive. We will not allow them to sit here (Bangladesh High Commission). They will have to lock this up. The whole Hindu community will not spare them,” he said.

He announced a one-hour blockade at the India–Bangladesh border on December 24 and said another protest would be held outside the Bangladesh High Commission on December 26. “On 24th December, there will be a one-hour blockade at the border and on 26th December, we will protest here again,” he added.

The protests follow the killing of Dipu Chandra Das, a garment factory worker, who was allegedly lynched by a mob in Mymensingh on December 18 over accusations of blasphemy. According to reports, he was beaten to death by a group of workers, after which his body was reportedly set on fire.

Bangladesh’s Daily Star, citing Mymensingh Additional Superintendent of Police Abdullah Al Mamun, reported that factory officials initially claimed Dipu was attacked over alleged “derogatory remarks about the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH)” in a Facebook post. However, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB)-14 Company Commander Md Samsuzzaman later told the newspaper that investigators found no evidence that the victim had posted or written anything on Facebook that could have hurt religious sentiments.

The victim’s brother, Apu Chandra Das, has filed a case at Bhaluka Police Station, naming 140–150 unidentified individuals as accused.

The killing has triggered widespread condemnation in both Bangladesh and India. In Delhi, Delhi State Haj Committee chairperson Kausar Jahan described the incident as “extremely reprehensible and barbaric”, alleging that minorities, particularly Hindus, were being targeted in Bangladesh. She urged the Bangladeshi government to ensure their safety and warned that such incidents could harm traditionally friendly India–Bangladesh relations.

“This violence is a result of the influence of extremism in Bangladesh… Such incidents must be prevented so that they do not adversely affect these relations,” she said.

In Dhaka, Hindu religious organisations and minority groups staged protests outside the National Press Club, demanding justice for Dipu Das and protection for minority communities. “A completely innocent person from a religious minority community was brutally murdered by religious fanatics,” one protester said, adding that Dipu had been recently promoted at work because of his dedication.

In Mumbai, Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) International Working President Alok Kumar questioned the circumstances surrounding the killing, citing reports that the victim had made no blasphemous remarks. “If that is the case, then why was he murdered? Bangladesh will have to answer this,” he said, announcing nationwide protests over the next two days.

Bangladesh law enforcement agencies have so far arrested 12 people in connection with the case. According to Bangladeshi authorities, the latest arrests were made early on Sunday, with all suspects handed over to Bhaluka Police Station. The interim government’s Chief Adviser, Muhammad Yunus, has said investigations are ongoing.

The killing has intensified calls for justice, greater protection for minorities, and restraint to prevent further strain on regional harmony.