Hindus form own political party in Bangladesh after lynching horror, target over 40 seats

The newly formed Bangladesh Minority Janta Party (BMJP) plans to contest 91 of the 300 seats in the Jatiya Parishad (national parliament) in what is expected to be a high-voltage election.

Speaking to The Times of India, BMJP president Sukriti Kumar Mandal said the party is confident of securing 40–45 seats.

“We have identified constituencies where the minority—especially the Hindu—vote bank ranges from 20% to 60%,” Mandal said from Dhaka.

On the possibility of forming alliances with mainstream political parties, including Tarique Rahman-led BNP, Mandal said such partnerships could help ensure safety for minorities.

“With an alliance, minorities can come out of their homes without fear of retaliation. The Awami League is off the radar, and BMJP is now the only voice of persecuted Hindus,” he said.

Mandal also urged India to reconsider its Bangladesh policy, calling for support focused specifically on the Hindu community.

“If India shifts from its pro–Awami League stand, mainstream Bangladeshi parties will take note. India must understand that BMJP is the sole voice of minorities,” he said, adding that such a shift could also improve perceptions of India in Bangladesh.

He further alleged that the Awami League had “used India only to gain power.”

Rising attacks on Hindus

Bangladesh has witnessed a sharp spike in attacks on members of the Hindu community in recent weeks following the ouster of the Hasina-led regime. The violence has raised serious concerns over law and order, particularly for religious minorities.

In recent days, two Hindu youths were lynched to death, drawing widespread condemnation.

In Mymensingh, a Hindu youth, Dipu Chandra Das, was lynched by an angry mob and his body was later set on fire. Even as investigations into his killing continue, another fatal lynching has been reported, intensifying fears over mob violence.

The latest victim, Amrit Mondal, also known as Samrat, was allegedly beaten to death by local residents following accusations of extortion, according to police.

Police account of Mondal’s death

Police said they rushed to the scene after receiving emergency information and found Mondal in critical condition, The Daily Star reported. He was immediately taken to a hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

His body was later sent to the Rajbari Sadar Hospital morgue for post-mortem examination.

Killing follows Dipu Das lynching

Mondal’s killing occurred less than a week after Dipu Chandra Das was lynched in Mymensingh district.

Das was allegedly accused of blasphemy, assaulted by a mob, and later set on fire—an incident that sparked strong criticism both domestically and internationally, renewing scrutiny over the safety of religious minorities in Bangladesh.