A wave of targeted killings has gripped Bangladesh’s Hindu minority, spotlighting the interim regime’s inability to maintain order. Reports indicate that whenever Dhaka’s grip loosens, extremists prey on economically visible yet politically powerless Hindus.
In a chilling incident, Narsingdi trader Mani Chakravarty was murdered in broad daylight at a busy market—the sixth Hindu death in less than three weeks. Perpetrators vanished without trace, exemplifying how visible storefronts and absent influence doom victims to impunity.
The shift from Sheikh Hasina’s era marks a pivotal change. Her centralized authority, despite its flaws, enforced discipline via a responsive security network. Post-ouster, Muhammad Yunus inherited a hollowed-out apparatus, struggling to function without its political core.
Decades of top-heavy policing left forces reliant on direct orders. Now, without stable directives, units falter across regions, fostering an environment where criminals thrive on perceived state indifference.
These aren’t random crimes; they signal institutional rot amid political flux. Bangladesh’s past transitions pale against this dual crisis of weak structures and surging bigotry. Chakravarty’s fate demands immediate action: clarify leadership, empower police, and shield the defenseless before tensions erupt further.