Rumour Mill: Majority of Minority Killings Stem from Political and Personal Conflicts, Evidence of Religious Motivation Limited

• Independent Review of the Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council Report

Following allegations of violence against religious and ethnic minority communities in Bangladesh, the Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council recently published a report on nine killings that took place between August 4 and August 20, 2024. The Council claims these murders were motivated by religious and ethnic intolerance. However, investigative findings from Netra News and local media reveal that most of these killings were the result of political conflicts, personal vendettas, or professional and social factors, rather than religious discrimination.

Event Details:

1. Ripon Shil of Habiganj:
   Ripon Shil, an anti-discrimination activist and BNP supporter, died from gunshot wounds amid a clash between BNP and Awami League supporters on August 4. Local sources claim that Dipjal, from the Baniachang Upazila Chhatra League, fired at Ripon. The incident is primarily viewed as a political altercation, with no religious motivation involved.
2. SI Santosh Chowdhury of Baniachang:
   In Baniachang, following the police shooting of several civilians, a mob attacked the police station and beat Officer Santosh Chowdhury to death. Allegations of abuse of power and mistreatment of the public marred his reputation. This incident appears to be rooted in professional and political resentment rather than religious intolerance.
3. Haradhan Roy of Rangpur:
   Awami League leader Haradhan Roy was killed during an attempt to attack protesting students, a conflict that resulted in his and several others’ deaths. Despite the Council’s labeling of the murder as religiously motivated, local media indicate that it was purely a political clash.
4. Journalist Pradeep Kumar Bhaumik of Sirajganj:
   Pradeep Kumar Bhaumik was killed during an attack on the Raiganj Thana Awami League office by BNP activists on August 4. His death was part of a broader political clash without any indication of religious animosity.
5. Ajit Sarkar Penu of Mymensingh:
   Ajit Sarkar, a witness in a case against a local war criminal and an Awami League member, was murdered due to personal enmity and political motives. According to local reports, religious discrimination or hatred is not substantiated in this case.
6. Sushanta Sarkar of Brahmanbaria:
   Sushanta Sarkar was murdered by his friend Ashik Mia due to a financial dispute. This incident had no religious motivations, as it was purely a personal conflict.
7. Tinku Ranjan Das, Narayanganj Businessman:
   Tinku Ranjan Das was a victim of local extortion. His murder was not religiously motivated but was rather related to ongoing criminal extortion activities targeting hosiery business owners.
8. Mrinal Kanti Chatterjee of Bagerhat:
   Mrinal Kanti’s murder is suspected to have stemmed from a land dispute. There is no evidence of religious hostility behind this crime.
9. Swapan Biswas, Union Parishad Member in Khulna:
   Swapan Biswas was killed on his way home from the market. According to locals, there is no apparent enmity or religious motivation tied to his death.

Overall Assessment:

This analysis suggests that most of the cases cited in the Council’s report do not directly reflect religious or ethnic animosity. Instead, many of these killings resulted from political conflicts, personal enmity, and social discord.