A Hindu student named Utsab Kumar Gian, enrolled at the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University in Bangladesh, found himself at the centre of a harrowing ordeal when he was assaulted by a group of Muslim individuals, purportedly due to accusations of blasphemy.
According to reports, it was claimed that Utsab had initially shared a post deemed as ‘derogatory’ towards Prophet Muhammad in a social media group, though he reportedly deleted it afterward. The dissemination of this news led to a tumultuous reaction among Muslim students at the university, who besieged Utsab on Sunday, May 26, accusing him of committing blasphemy.
In a disturbing turn of events, Utsab was subjected to severe physical assault by the enraged mob, who coerced him into confessing to the alleged act of ‘mocking’ Prophet Muhammad. Subsequently, the agitated group escorted Utsab to the office of the university’s proctor, Md. Kamruzzaman, where he was pressured into providing a written confession.
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University (BSMRSTU) Student Utsab Kumar Gain has been brutally assaulted and handed over to the police for allegedly sending a message in a social media group by commenting on Muslims Prophet Muhammad. The student’s… pic.twitter.com/CYj9mZuRgC
— Asad Noor (@Asad_N0or) May 27, 2024
As of the latest updates, Utsab was reported to be in an unconscious state. Regarding the incident, the Officer-in-Charge of Gopalganj Sadar Police Station stated, “We have admitted him to the hospital. Let him recover first. Subsequently, appropriate legal measures will be taken.”
Meanwhile, the university’s proctor, Md. Kamruzzaman, asserted, “He (Utsab Kumar Gian) confessed to blasphemy. He has been placed in police custody, and legal proceedings will ensue.”
Furthermore, in the absence of the Vice-Chancellor and Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the university, steps are anticipated to be taken following their return.
This distressing incident comes amidst another recent case where a Hindu girl named Tithy Sarkar was sentenced to five years in prison by a Bangladeshi court. Sarkar, a former student of Jagannath University and associated with various Hindu organisations, including the World Hindu Struggle Council and the Students Protection Council of Jagannath University, was booked by the police on November 2, 2020.
On May 23, at least ten individuals belonging to a minority Christian community were rescued following an assault on their settlement in eastern Pakistan, prompted by allegations of blasphemy from a Muslim crowd, as confirmed by police officials and a community representative.
Shariq Kamal, the police chief of Sargodha district, reported that the crowd, accusing the Christian group of blasphemy, not only targeted the settlement but also launched projectiles at law enforcement officers.
According to accounts from a police spokesperson and Akmal Bhatti, a Christian leader, the violence escalated to the extent that one residence and a small shoe factory were set ablaze by protesters gathering in response to allegations of desecration of the Muslim holy book, the Koran, purportedly committed by a member of the minority community.
Bhatti further disclosed, “They burned one house,” and recounted that several Christians suffered severe beatings.
In response to the escalating situation, a significant police presence was deployed to cordon off the settlement, as confirmed by Kamal, who also mentioned that the aggressive crowd was eventually dispersed. Subsequently, one Christian individual, who had been hospitalised due to injuries sustained in the violence, was reported to be in stable condition.
