The house of a Hindu schoolteacher, Birendra Kumar Dey, was set on fire by a mob in Bahor village of Gowainghat upazila, Sylhet district, Bangladesh, amid an alarming rise in violence against religious minorities ahead of the country’s February 12 parliamentary elections.
Dey, popularly known as “Jhunu Sir”, and his family narrowly escaped without injuries, officials confirmed. The incident is part of a broader pattern of attacks targeting the Hindu community, with rights groups documenting dozens of violent episodes, including killings, arson and land seizures, over the past two months.
As domestic concerns mount, the issue has also drawn international attention, with UK MP Bob Blackman raising the matter in Parliament and warning of grave democratic and human rights concerns surrounding the polls.
Teacher’s Home Torched, Minority Fear
According to local residents and administrative officials, the attack occurred on Wednesday afternoon when a mob set fire to the Dey family’s house while several family members, including elderly relatives, were inside. Neighbours rushed to help, enabling the family to escape moments before the flames engulfed the structure.
Firefighters later doused the blaze, but the house was left extensively damaged, with household belongings and important documents reportedly destroyed. “No one was injured in the incident,” officials said, adding that police have launched an investigation and stepped up security in the area.
Villagers described Birendra Kumar Dey as a widely respected figure who had taught generations of students and was affectionately known as Jhunu Sir. His popularity and long-standing ties to the community have deepened shock and disbelief among residents, many of whom say the attack has shattered their sense of safety.
For local Hindus, the incident has reinforced fears of being deliberately targeted in an increasingly volatile political environment.
Election-Era Surge in Minority Violence
The arson attack comes amid a disturbing rise in violence against Bangladesh’s Hindu minority since December, following the lynching of garment factory worker Dipu Chandra Das on December 18.
Rights organisations report that at least eight Hindus have been killed in separate incidents since then, while dozens of cases involving vandalism, land grabbing, threats and arson have been documented across multiple districts.
According to community groups, at least 51 incidents of violence against Hindus have been reported in recent weeks alone. Analysts note that election periods in Bangladesh have historically coincided with spikes in communal tension, particularly in areas where political rivalries intersect with religious identity.
The current unrest has unfolded amid opposition boycotts and questions over the legitimacy of the electoral process, intensifying anxieties among minorities who fear being used as political scapegoats. While the government has dismissed some allegations as exaggerated or politically motivated, local activists argue that underreporting, fear of reprisals and delayed justice continue to obscure the full scale of the problem.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The burning of a teacher’s home in Sylhet is not just an isolated criminal act; it is a painful symbol of how quickly social cohesion can unravel when intolerance is allowed to fester unchecked. Teachers like Birendra Kumar Dey embody the values of education, service and community trust, making such attacks particularly devastating for the moral fabric of society.
At a time when Bangladesh stands at a democratic crossroads, ensuring the safety and dignity of minorities is not optional it is foundational to any credible electoral process. The Logical Indian believes that peace cannot be restored through denial or silence, but through accountability, transparent investigations and sincere efforts to rebuild trust between communities. Political leaders, civil society and ordinary citizens must collectively reject violence and uphold the principles of coexistence and empathy.
