Who Was Behind the Attack on a Hindu Village in Tahirpur Following Blasphemy Allegations?
Four Hindu temples, several businesses, and multiple homes belonging to the Hindu community were reportedly attacked, vandalized, and looted in Garkati village and Badaghat Bazaar of Tahirpur, Sunamganj, on June 23. Photo: Collected
10July 2026 Sunamganj, Bangladesh
: More than two weeks after violent attacks targeting a Hindu community in Garkati village of Tahirpur Upazila, Sunamganj, residents say they continue to live in fear. Local people allege that many individuals participating in the procession that preceded the attacks were unfamiliar faces, raising questions about whether the violence was driven solely by religious outrage or by other motives.
On June 23, four temples, several businesses, and multiple homes belonging to members of the Hindu community in Garkati village and Badaghat Bazaar were attacked, vandalized, and looted. The violence followed allegations of blasphemy against 21-year-old Sudipta Roy over a Facebook comment.
Accordingto Sudipta’s father, Nikhil Roy, the family sought to resolve the issue peacefully after learning of the allegations. Acting on the advice of local community leaders, he took his son to Badaghat Bazaar. However, shortly after their arrival, an angry crowd gathered and attempted to said he does not use a smartphone and has little knowledge of Facebook. He explained that his only intention was to settle the matter cefully. As the situation deteriorated, they took shelter inside a nearby shop. Police from Tahirpur Police Station later arrived and escorted Sudipta out through the back entrance, taking him into protective custody.
According to the family, the situation escalated further after Sudipta was handed over to the police. A large procession reportedly marched from Badaghat Bazaar to Garkati village, where houses, temples, and businesses belonging to the Hindu community were attacked.
Sudipta’s mother, Ketaki Roy, said the family was unaware of what their son had allegedly posted online. She questioned why their home and property were attacked even after he had been handed over to law enforcement. She also alleged that attackers vandalized household belongings and looted cash, jewelry, and other valuables.
Local businessman Muktar Hossain, who sheltered Sudipta inside his shop during the unrest, confirmed that an agitated crowd repeatedly demanded that he hand over the young man. He said he closed the shop’s shutter to protect him until police arrived safely.
Several eyewitnesses told local media that many participants in the procession appeared to be unfamiliar to residents, leading to speculation that people from outside the area may have joined the violence. However, these claims have not been independently verified.
The attacks caused extensive damage to several religious sites, including Kali Temple, Durga Temple, Natmandir, and a community temple in Garkati village. Temple structures were reportedly demolished with heavy tools, idols were vandalized, and valuable religious items were looted.
Subrata Roy Suman, General Secretary of the Garkati Uttarpara Community Temple Committee, said Sudipta had expressed regret and attempted to resolve the issue through local mediation before the violence occurred. He alleged that crowds were mobilized through social media livestreams and public announcements before the attacks began.
Ganesh Talukdar, General Secretary of the Tahirpur Upazila Puja Celebration Council, said several temples and religious properties suffered severe damage. He noted that although local authorities visited the affected areas, those responsible for the attacks had not yet been identified.
Some local Muslim community leaders also condemned the violence. Md. Mukhlesur Rahman, President of the Tahirpur Upazila unit of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, stated that the destruction of homes and temples was unacceptable and inconsistent with Islamic teachings. He said local community leaders had helped ensure Sudipta was safely handed over to police to prevent further violence.
Residents described Garkati as an area long known for peaceful coexistence between Hindu and Muslim communities. The village is home to both the Ashram of Advaita Acharya Mahaprabhu and the shrine of Hazrat Shah Arefin (R), where people of different faiths have traditionally participated in religious events together.
Following the incident, local Member of Parliament Kamruzzaman Kamrul visited the affected area and said that the actions of an individual should never be used to justify attacks on an entire community or religious institutions. He added that Islam does not permit the destruction of places of worship and promised strict legal action against those responsible.
Police have filed a case against Sudipta Roy under Bangladesh’s Cyber Security Act, and he remains in custody. His family said he was scheduled to sit for the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examination this year but was unable to do so because of his arrest.
Meanwhile, no separate criminal case has yet been filed regarding the attacks, vandalism, and looting targeting the Hindu community. According to Tahirpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Faruk Ahmed, no suspects have been arrested in connection with the violence.
As a result, while Sudipta Roy remains in jail over the blasphemy allegation, victims of the attacks continue to await legal action against those responsible for the destruction of homes, businesses, and temples.
