In the wake of the horrific lynching of Dipu Chandra Das, a 25-year-old Hindu garment worker in Bangladesh, prominent voices are speaking out against the brutality and calling for accountability. The incident, which occurred in Bhaluka, Mymensingh, has sparked outrage and protests both in Bangladesh and India.
Das was brutally killed on Thursday night after being accused of blasphemy by a mob. Reports indicate that he was beaten, tied to a tree, and set on fire near the Pioneer Knit Composite Factory where he worked in the Square Masterbari area. News of the lynching spread quickly through social media, with disturbing videos circulating online.
Bollywood actress Janhvi Kapoor has emerged as one of the most vocal critics of the incident, condemning it as "barbaric" and a "slaughter" in a post on her Instagram Stories. "What is happening in Bangladesh is barbaric. It is slaughter, and it is not an isolated incident," Kapoor wrote, urging people to educate themselves about the incident and to confront extremism. She also called out hypocrisy, stating that indifference to such violence would be self-destructive. Kapoor's strong stance has been praised by many on social media, with users commending her courage to speak out against extremism.
The lynching has also triggered protests in India, with Hindu organizations such as Bajrang Dal and Vishva Hindu Parishad staging demonstrations in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. Protests have also erupted in other cities, including New Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, and Hyderabad, as well as in Kolkata, where members of Hindu organizations protested near the Deputy High Commission of Bangladesh.
While initial reports suggested the lynching was motivated by religious extremism, some sources indicate that the violence may have stemmed from a workplace conspiracy. According to these reports, disputes over production targets and promotions at the factory where Das worked may have led to the attack. It is alleged that he was forced to resign by factory officials and then handed over to the mob.
Authorities have arrested at least 12 people in connection with the murder. Dipu Chandra Das is survived by his wife and young daughter and was the sole breadwinner for his family. The case has sparked widespread outrage, with increasing calls for accountability and justice for Das and his family.
