Attacks on the Hindu minority in Bangladesh continue amid ongoing unrest under the Muhammad Yunus-led administration. In the latest incidents, two more Hindus have lost their lives, one in police custody and another in a brutal mob attack, further intensifying concerns over the safety of the community.
Death of Proloy Chaki in custody
Proloy Chaki, a 60-year-old renowned Hindu musician and an Awami League leader, died while in police custody after being held at Pabna District Jail. According to jail authorities, Chaki suffered a cardiac arrest on 9 January and was initially taken to Pabna General Hospital. As his condition deteriorated, he was transferred to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, where he passed away around 9:00 pm.
Omor Faruque, Superintendent of Pabna District Jail, claimed that Chaki had long-standing health issues, including diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. However, his family has strongly rejected the official account, alleging prolonged neglect, denial of medical care, and physical and psychological abuse during his incarceration.
His son, Sunny Chaki, stated that despite suffering from serious medical conditions, his father was kept in a regular prison cell instead of being placed under critical care. He further asserted that there were no valid cases against Proloy Chaki and that he was arrested without a warrant.
Sunny alleged that prison authorities failed to inform the family when his father’s condition worsened. “We learned about his critical condition from others and rushed to the hospital, but by then it was too late. He did not receive proper treatment, which ultimately led to his death,” he said.
Family members, friends, and colleagues believe Proloy Chaki was targeted due to his Hindu faith and political affiliation. Leaders of the now-banned Awami League have also alleged that he was subjected to torture while in custody.
Bhaskar Chowdhury, secretary of the Pabna Sammilito Shangskritik Jote, described Chaki as a cultural icon beyond his political identity, calling his death a major loss to Pabna’s cultural community. Former Pabna Drama Circle president Gopal Sanyal has demanded an independent investigation into the incident. Several prominent Bangladeshi musicians, including Tapan Chowdhury, Kumar Bishwajit, Dinat Jahan Munni, Bappa Mazumder, and Kabir Bakul, have expressed deep sorrow over his passing.
Proloy Chaki also served as secretary for cultural affairs in the Awami League’s Pabna district unit. He was arrested from his home in Dilalpur, Pabna town, on December 16 last year in connection with an alleged 4 August explosion case.
Samir Kumar Das lynched by mob
In a separate incident, 28-year-old Samir Kumar Das, an autorickshaw driver, was beaten and stabbed to death by a mob on the night of January 11 in Daganbhuiyan, Feni district. Police reported that the attackers fled with his battery-operated autorickshaw after killing him.
Samir left home that evening for work but never returned. His family alerted the police when they were unable to contact him. Early the next morning, residents discovered his blood-soaked body in a field near the Muhuri Bari hamlet, close to a subdistrict hospital.
Police confirmed that the victim had suffered multiple stab wounds and signs of severe physical assault. “Samir was beaten and murdered with country-made weapons. Preliminary findings suggest it was a planned killing, followed by robbery,” a police officer stated. The victim’s family is expected to file a First Information Report (FIR), and an investigation is underway to identify and arrest those responsible.
With these two deaths, at least 12 Hindus have reportedly been killed in Bangladesh within just 42 days. Another widely condemned incident was the public burning and lynching of Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh on December 18.
