Nafis Sadique Shatil, a Bangladeshi blogger and freethinker activist known for criticizing Islam and other religions, has recently fled the country due to persistent threats from Islamic extremists. Various militant groups have placed a bounty on his head, promising rewards for his assassination. Shatil and his family are currently in grave danger, with calls for violence against them proliferating on social media.
In an interview, Shatil revealed that the first attack on his home occurred on August 5, when assailants vandalized the CCTV cameras at his residence. Since then, he has been receiving continuous death threats. The recent escalation of threats has left him and his family fearful for their safety. They have been subjected to harassment, including threatening messages sent to their relatives. Shatil expressed concern that extremists could attack his home at any moment, branding him a “murtad” (apostate) and labeling him a “blasphemer.”
Previously, in December 2022, Shatil was abducted by Bangladeshi police amid fears of an imminent extremist attack. He was released after signing a pledge not to write during his detention.
The political landscape in Bangladesh shifted dramatically following the so-called “student uprising” on August 5, which led to the establishment of an interim government. Since then, there has been a noticeable surge in the activities of Islamic extremists across the country. In recent incidents, a teenager named Utshab Mondol was targeted for a Facebook post, and another individual, Rezbul Islam, faced protests from extremists leading to his arrest, all under similar accusations of insulting the Prophet Muhammad.
Additionally, there have been attacks on Hindu minorities, including vandalism of homes and assaults during the Durga Puja festivities, which have been interpreted as efforts to suppress dissenting views. To date, no significant progress has been made in police investigations into these incidents.
Since 2013, a series of killings of bloggers have occurred in Bangladesh, with extremist organizations such as Hizb ut-Tahrir, Ansarullah Bangla Team, and JMB linked to these attacks in court. More than ten writers and bloggers have been murdered by Islamic extremists, including prominent Bangladeshi-American author Avijit Roy. Many writers and bloggers have left the country under the threat of violence, including renowned author and activist Taslima Nasrin.
As the threats against Nafis Sadique Shatil and others continue to escalate, the need for protective measures and broader societal support against extremism is more urgent than ever.