A horrific incident unfolded in Bangladesh, where a 15-year-old Hindu boy named Utsav Mandol was brutally murdered by a mob inside a police station in Khulna City. The mob accused him of making ‘objectionable comments’ about Prophet Muhammad on social media, a claim that led to his detention by the police. The incident occurred on Wednesday night, with the mob, primarily comprising students from local madrasas and members of the Imam Association, converging outside the police station and demanding swift and severe punishment for the teenager.
According to reports, the mob initially demanded that Mandol be judged according to their own laws, which included the death penalty. While the police assured them a case would be filed under existing laws, the mob remained unsatisfied. As the crowd swelled, tensions escalated, with a false announcement through a mosque’s loudspeaker claiming that Mandol had been lynched to disperse the mob. However, the news of Mandol still being alive and in police custody further agitated the mob, who then demanded his handover. Despite the presence of police, army, and navy personnel, the mob overpowered the security forces, stormed the police station, and brutally attacked Mandol, ultimately leading to his death.
This tragic incident highlights the growing issue of mob violence and religious intolerance in Bangladesh. The Human Rights Congress for Bangladesh Minorities (HRCBM) condemned the lynching, calling it a violation of basic human rights and highlighting the failure of law enforcement agencies in preventing the tragedy. The HRCBM also pointed out that the perpetrators remain unpunished, raising concerns about the lack of accountability and justice in such cases.
The incident comes amidst heightened concerns about the safety of minorities in Bangladesh. Muhammad Yunus, the Chief adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government, recently commented on the attacks on Hindus in the country, stating that the issue has been ‘exaggerated’ and that such attacks were more political than communal. He attributed the attacks to a political fallout, claiming a perception that Hindus support the Awami League government. However, the brutal murder of Utsav Mandol serves as a stark reminder of the real and present danger faced by minority communities in Bangladesh, who are increasingly targeted by extremist groups and mob violence.
