The killing of Hindu businessman Susen Chandra Sarker in Trishal, Mymensingh, has intensified concerns over the safety of religious minorities in Bangladesh as the country approaches its national parliamentary elections. Sarker, a rice trader, was reportedly attacked and killed inside his warehouse on the night of February 9, with attackers allegedly looting around BDT 1.5 million in cash.
The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council condemned the incident, calling it part of a broader pattern of insecurity faced by minority communities during politically sensitive periods. In a statement issued on February 10, the organisation said the murder had deepened fear among Hindu, Buddhist and Christian groups, who are already unsettled by recent reports of violence, intimidation and vandalism in several districts.
According to minority leaders and rights groups, incidents in recent months have included attacks on homes, businesses and temples, often linked to local political tensions. Some families have alleged slow investigations and inadequate action by authorities, raising concerns about accountability and protection ahead of the polls.
The Unity Council criticised what it described as insufficient assurances of safety from the government, law-enforcement agencies and the Election Commission. It called for the immediate arrest of those responsible for the killing, impartial investigations into all communal incidents, and stronger security measures to protect vulnerable communities during the election period. The organisation also demanded financial compensation for Sarker’s family.
The incident comes amid heightened political tension and sporadic unrest as Bangladesh prepares to vote under an interim administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. Analysts warn that growing perceptions of insecurity among minority voters could affect voter confidence and turnout.
With campaigning nearing its end, minority representatives have urged authorities to take visible and decisive action against communal violence, warning that failure to do so could further erode trust in the electoral process during a crucial political transition.
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