Gazipur, Bangladesh — A Hindu sweetshop owner was brutally beaten to death in Gazipur’s Kaliganj upazila on Saturday following a violent altercation triggered by a communal dispute, once again raising serious concerns over the safety of religious minorities in Bangladesh.
The victim, Liton Chandra Ghosh (55)—locally known as Kali Moyra—owned Baishakhi Sweetmeat and Hotel, located on the Boro Nagar Road adjacent to Kaliganj Municipality.
According to eyewitnesses and family members, the incident occurred around 11:00 am when Masum Mia (28) entered the shop and objected to the presence of images of Hindu deities inside the establishment. Masum reportedly claimed that keeping such images made the shop’s food “haram” and insisted that such practices were unacceptable in a Muslim-majority country.
When Ananta Das (17), a Hindu employee at the shop, protested against the remarks, an argument ensued. Witnesses said Masum verbally abused the worker using communal slurs and then physically assaulted him.
Moments later, Masum’s parents—Swapan Mia (55) and Majeda Khatun (45)—arrived at the scene and joined in beating the teenager.
As Liton Ghosh intervened to protect his employee and calm the situation, the attackers turned on him. Eyewitnesses stated that the three assailants beat Ghosh mercilessly, and at one point struck him on the head with a shovel. He collapsed at the scene and died instantly from his injuries.
Local residents detained the three attackers immediately after the incident and handed them over to police.
Confirming the arrests, Kaliganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md. Zakir Hossain told reporters, “The three accused have been taken into police custody. The body has been recovered, and legal proceedings are underway.”
The killings have sparked widespread outrage and fear in the area, particularly among the local Hindu community, who say they feel increasingly unsafe. Family members of the victim allege that the attack was premeditated and motivated by religious hatred, claiming that the accused family had previously instigated communal tensions with Hindu residents in the area.
Human rights activists warn that the public lynching of a minority business owner over religious identity reflects a deepening crisis of intolerance, urging authorities to ensure swift justice and stronger protection for vulnerable communities.
The incident has once again placed Bangladesh’s minority rights record under scrutiny amid rising concerns over extremist violence and impunity.
