26 October, 2026 – Pirganj, Rangpur, Bangladesh: A Hindu neighbourhood in Chak Karim village of Pirganj Upazila, Rangpur, was attacked by a mob on Monday evening, October 26, following allegations of religious insult linked to an old video that recently resurfaced on social media. Three houses belonging to Hindu families were reportedly vandalized and looted.
According to local sources and affected residents, a group of approximately 50 to 60 people armed with sticks allegedly attacked the homes after tensions escalated over accusations against Sourav Chandra, son of Bishu Chandra, a resident of the village. Sourav was accused of making objectionable remarks about the Holy Quran.
The video in question reportedly circulated on Facebook again, triggering tension in the area. However, the authenticity of the allegations and whether any act of religious insult actually occurred have not been independently established.
Residents alleged that the attackers cut off the electricity supply to the houses before or during the assault. They reportedly entered the homes of Sourav Chandra, his father Bishu Chandra, and his uncle Jagadish Chandra, vandalizing furniture, televisions, cupboards, and other household belongings while stealing valuables.
According to the victims, their pleas for the attackers to stop were ignored. Local residents also claimed that some members of the group had come from outside the area.
Dinesh Chandra Mahanta, one of those affected by the attack, said a group of people arrived in the evening, attacked the houses, and looted household belongings. Police later arrived and brought the situation under control.
Sourav Chandra has reportedly gone into hiding following the incident. Meanwhile, Hindu families in the neighbourhood remain fearful of further attacks and have expressed concerns about their safety.
Following the incident, Rangpur Superintendent of Police Mohammad Mozammel Haque, Pirganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Abdullah Al Bakiul Bari, and local Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leaders visited the affected area.
Additional police personnel have reportedly been deployed to maintain law and order. Authorities are attempting to identify and arrest those responsible for the attack and looting.
The incident has renewed concerns about the safety of religious minorities and the use of mob violence in response to allegations of blasphemy. Human rights advocates emphasize that allegations of religious insult must be investigated through lawful procedures and that no individual or community should be subjected to violence before the facts are established.
The reported attack underscores the importance of protecting affected families, recovering stolen property, conducting an impartial investigation, and holding those responsible accountable under the law.
