A Hindu grocery shop owner was reportedly killed in a violent attack in Bangladesh&rsquo;s Narsingdi district on the outskirts of Dhaka, raising fresh concerns over the safety of religious minorities in the country. The incident occurred on Monday night and was the second killing of a Hindu individual reported on the same day.
The deceased has been identified as 40-year-old Sarat Chakraborty Mani, a small trader who ran a grocery shop in the Charsindur Bazaar area under Palash Upazila. According to residents, a group of unidentified assailants attacked him with sharp weapons while he was at his shop. He sustained critical injuries and died while being taken to the hospital.
Media reports stated that Sarat lived a quiet life and had no known personal disputes or enmity. He is survived by his wife, Antara Mukherjee and their 12-year-old son. Sarat had earlier worked in South Korea before returning to Bangladesh a few years ago. After coming back, he built a house in the Brahmandi area of Narsingdi and resumed a modest livelihood to support his family.
Family members and neighbours said he was a calm, socially responsible individual who remained concerned about the deteriorating situation in the country in recent months. His death came just hours after Hindu journalist Rana Pratap Bairagi was shot dead in Jessore district in Khulna division, intensifying fears among minority communities.
Social activist Bappaditya Basu strongly condemned the killing and alleged that extremist Islamist elements were behind the attack. According to him, Sarat had reportedly been threatened days earlier and asked to pay money to continue living in the area. Basu claimed the demands were accompanied by intimidation and warnings against approaching the police.
As of now, no official statement has been released by the Bangladesh police or other law enforcement agencies regarding the Narsingdi killing. Investigations, if any, have not been publicly detailed.
The back-to-back incidents have triggered renewed debate over minority security, communal violence, and the responsibility of the state to ensure law and order in Bangladesh.

Second killing of a Hindu in a day sparks fear among minorities

Hindu Shopkeeper Killed in Bangladesh

Second killing of a Hindu in a day sparks fear among minorities

January 6, 2026 | 15:18 IST