Hindu Teacher's Home Set Ablaze in Bangladesh Violence Surge
Schoolteacher's residence set ablaze in Sylhet amid escalating minority attacks.
In a fresh escalation of violence targeting religious minorities in Bangladesh, the home of Hindu schoolteacher Birendra Kumar Dey—popularly known as Jhunu Sir—was set on fire in Bahor village, Nandirgaon union, under Gowainghat upazila in Sylhet district on January 15, 2026. A widely circulated video captured the intense flames engulfing the house as family members desperately attempted to escape and salvage belongings. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, but the blaze destroyed household items, valuables, furniture, documents, and other essentials, leaving the family devastated.
The incident, which occurred late at night, has been described by locals and social media reports as a targeted arson attack, with some alleging involvement of extremist groups. Police have yet to confirm the cause or make arrests, and investigations remain ongoing. This attack follows a disturbing pattern of arson and mob violence against Hindu homes and individuals in recent weeks, including similar torchings in Pirojpur, Chittagong's Raozan, and other districts where families were allegedly locked inside burning structures before narrowly escaping.
The surge in such incidents has intensified since the political transition in 2024, under the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus, with reports highlighting at least 15 Hindu murders between December 1, 2025, and January 15, 2026, according to rights groups like the Rights & Risks Analysis Group (RRAG). Earlier cases include the lynching and burning of garment worker Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh over blasphemy allegations, the killing of journalist Rana Pratap Bairagi in Jashore, and multiple fatalities in Narsingdi and elsewhere. These events have sparked widespread fear among Bangladesh's Hindu community, which constitutes about 8% of the population.
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India has repeatedly voiced concerns, with the Ministry of External Affairs noting a "disturbing pattern of recurring attacks" on minorities and urging swift, firm action to address communal violence. On January 9, 2026, New Delhi emphasized monitoring the situation closely. Human rights organizations and minority groups have criticized authorities for alleged denial or downplaying of religious motives, raising alarms about safety ahead of upcoming elections and the potential for further unrest.
The Sylhet arson has renewed calls for international attention and stronger protections for vulnerable communities. As videos of the burning home spread online, outrage grows over the ongoing insecurity, with many questioning the interim government's ability to curb extremism and ensure minority rights in a shifting political landscape.
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