The Bangladesh Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Unity Council has claimed that violence against religious and ethnic minorities remains widespread in Bangladesh, listing 92 incidents, including 11 killings, in the first two months of 2025.
However, information from field investigations suggests that these claims misrepresent the actual situation.
According to preliminary police investigations, the reported killings were not linked to communal violence but stemmed from various personal disputes, criminal activities, and accidents.
Breakdown of Incidents:
Gaibandha: Diplu Sarker was killed by associates over the division of stolen money.
Netrakona: Dilip Kumar Shaha Roy was murdered at home by unknown assailants in the absence of his family.
Location Undisclosed: Rajib Talukder was killed due to a long-standing personal feud.
Sunamganj: Gita Rani Das died after being struck by an unidentified motorcycle.
Bandarban: Umepru Marma was shot following a dispute with a neighbor over a goat.
Chapainawabganj: Auto-rickshaw driver Sree Palash was killed by criminals attempting to steal his vehicle.
Moulvibazar: Sree Dipen Munda was murdered due to a long-standing conflict.
Location Undisclosed: Kanai Shabdakar died after a family altercation.
Tea Garden (Location Undisclosed): Kanai Pashi’s body was found under mysterious circumstances.
Khulna: University student Arnab Kumar Sarker was fatally shot in an attack linked to a previous dispute.
Narayanganj: Utpal Roy was killed by intruders who stole Tk150,000 from his home.
Authorities have emphasized that these tragic incidents should not be misrepresented as communal violence. Law enforcement officials reaffirmed that the majority of these cases were criminal in nature, unrelated to religious or ethnic identity.
Officials also criticized the Bangladesh Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Unity Council for repeatedly making misleading claims about minority persecution without verifying facts.
“It is essential to approach such sensitive issues responsibly, ensuring that facts are not distorted to serve particular agendas,” a statement from authorities said. “We must work towards peace and harmony, addressing real causes of violence rather than fueling unnecessary division.”
