Only 71 Of 645 Incidents Involving Minorities In 2025 Were Communal: Bangladesh Data Shared By Yunus

Last Updated:January 19, 2026, 14:03 IST

"The data demonstrates that most incidents involving minority victims were not driven by communal hostility, but by broader criminal and social factors," it said

Muhammad Yunus (AFP)

Bangladesh reported 645 incidents involving members of minority communities from January to December 2025, of which only 71 were communal in nature, according to official review of police records shared by the chief adviser of interim Bangladesh government, Mohammad Yunus, on social media. The incidents were compiled from verified First Information Reports, General Diaries, charge sheets, and investigation updates nationwide.

“While every incident is a matter of concern, the data presents a clear and evidence-based picture: the overwhelming majority of cases were criminal in nature rather than communal, underscoring both the complexity of law-and-order challenges and the importance of grounding public discussion in facts rather than fear or misinformation," stated the report shared on the official X handle of the chief adviser.

What news reports suggest

In 2026, Bangladesh has seen a significant surge in targeted attacks on the Hindu minority, with dozens of incidents reported in the first three weeks of January alone. Organizations like the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council documented at least 51 incidents of communal violence in December 2025, including 10 murders. On January 16, Ripon Saha, a 30-year-old fuel station worker in Rajbari district, was crushed to death by an SUV after he tried to stop the vehicle from fleeing without paying. The same day, the home of Birendra Kumar Dey, a Hindu schoolteacher in Sylhet’s Gowainghat, was set on fire by unidentified arsonists. On January 13, Samir Das, a 27-year-old auto-rickshaw driver, was found dead in a crop field in Jagatpur village, Feni district. On January 11, a Hindu businessman in Gazipur was beaten to death following a minor dispute over a commercial transaction. On January 5, Sarat Mani Chakraborty, a grocery store owner in Narsingdi, was killed with sharp weapons. On January 5, Rana Pratap, a factory owner and acting newspaper editor, was shot in the head and had his throat slit in Jashore district.

In December 2025, Bajendra Biswas, a garment worker and member of the Ansar Bahini, was shot dead by a colleague in Mymensingh, on December 29. On December 18, Dipu Chandra Das, a 25-year-old factory worker, was lynched by a mob in Mymensingh after being falsely accused of blasphemy; his body was then hung from a tree and set on fire. On December 12-19, awave of violence following the death of a student leader led to mobs attacking the headquarters of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, as well as multiple Hindu cultural sites and homes.

’71 incidents had communal elements’

The findings show that 71 incidents were identified as having communal elements, while 574 incidents were assessed as non-communal in nature. Communal incidents primarily involved vandalism or desecration of religious sites and idols, along with a small number of other offenses. In contrast, the majority of incidents affecting minority individuals or properties arose from criminal activity unrelated to religion, including neighborhood disputes, land conflicts, political rivalries, theft, sexual violence, and cases linked to prior personal enmity, said the report.

“This distinction is important. While all crimes are serious and demand accountability, the data demonstrates that most incidents involving minority victims were not driven by communal hostility, but by broader criminal and social factors that affect citizens across religious and ethnic lines. Accurate classification helps prevent misinformation and supports more effective law-enforcement responses."

The report also documents significant police engagement. Hundreds of cases were formally registered, arrests were made in many incidents, and investigations are ongoing in others. This reflects an institutional commitment to addressing crime and maintaining public order, particularly in sensitive cases involving religious sites or communal concerns.

Law and order situation

At the national level, Bangladesh continues to face serious law-and-order challenges. Each year, an average of approximately 3,000-3,500 people lose their lives to violent crime nationwide. This is not a number to be proud of. Every life lost is a tragedy, and no society should be complacent in the face of such statistics. At the same time, these figures must be understood in context. Violent crime affects all communities, cutting across religion, ethnicity, and geography, said the report.

Importantly, available indicators show that law and order in Bangladesh is improving steadily. Enhanced policing, better intelligence coordination, faster response times, and increased accountability have contributed to gradual but meaningful progress. The government and law-enforcement agencies remain committed to reducing crime further and ensuring equal protection under the law.

“Bangladesh is a country of Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, and people of other beliefs, all of whom are citizens with equal rights. Ensuring safety and justice for every community is not only a constitutional obligation but a moral one. Protecting places of worship, preventing incitement, responding quickly to criminal acts, and distinguishing facts from rumor are essential to preserving social harmony," it said.

This report is presented in the spirit of transparency and accountability. It does not deny challenges, nor does it claim perfection. Rather, it seeks to provide a factual, evidence-based picture of crime trends affecting minority communities within the broader national context. Constructive scrutiny, responsible reporting, and continued institutional reform are all necessary components of progress, it said.

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