In a tragic and deeply unsettling incident, the lifeless body of Montu Chandra Das, a 35-year-old man belonging to the Hindu minority community, was recovered by police in Kalibari, Barguna Municipality, Bangladesh. The circumstances surrounding his death have raised serious suspicions among law enforcement and local residents, many of whom fear that he was murdered.
According to his relatives, Montu Chandra Das was embroiled in a legal dispute, which they believe may have led to his untimely death. Just a week before his murder, he had taken the bold step of filing a rape case against the perpetrator who assaulted his seventh-grade daughter. The primary accused in that case is currently in jail. However, Montu’s relatives and members of the local community strongly suspect that his murder was an act of retaliation carried out by individuals connected to the case.
This incident has sent shockwaves through the local Hindu community, many of whom view it as another tragic addition to the ongoing persecution of religious minorities in Bangladesh. In recent months, similar incidents have heightened fears among Hindu, Buddhist, and Christian communities across the country, particularly in the wake of recent political transitions. Rights activists and concerned citizens warn that such targeted violence against minorities threatens Bangladesh’s long-standing principles of religious harmony and justice.
Montu Chandra Das, a low-income poultry farm worker, was the sole breadwinner of his family, leaving behind three young children, including an infant merely a month old. His murder not only robs his family of their primary provider but also deepens the climate of fear among the already vulnerable Hindu community in Bangladesh.
Speaking on the case, the additional superintendent of police (Sadar Circle), Abdul Halim, stated:
“Upon receiving reports, we visited the scene and prepared a preliminary report on the body. Initial findings suggest that Montu’s death was a homicide. His body has been sent for autopsy, and law enforcement is actively investigating to uncover the truth behind this tragic event.”
As authorities work to determine the circumstances of his death, many are left wondering whether Montu Chandra Das is yet another victim of the ongoing wave of minority persecution in Bangladesh. His case underscores the urgent need for justice and protection for those seeking to defend their rights in an environment where impunity often prevails.
For Montu’s grieving family, and many like them, the question remains—will justice be served, or will another voice demanding accountability be silenced forever?
