Bangladesh stands at a dangerous crossroads as radical forces hollow out democratic institutions, silence dissent, and erode the nation’s inclusive Bengali identity. What was once a model of stability now risks sliding into sustained fragility and violence.

What is unfolding in Bangladesh today is deeply troubling and unmistakably dangerous. The country is witnessing a systematic takeover by radical elements that have penetrated society, captured institutions, and begun dictating the political and social narrative. Power no longer appears to rest with democratic structures but with extremist forces operating from within the state and society. The current leadership, with Muhammad Yunus at the forefront, increasingly appears reduced to a symbolic figure—more a puppet than an autonomous decision-maker—while radical actors call the shots behind the scenes.

The violence sweeping Bangladesh is not selective; it is expansive and indiscriminate. While Awami League supporters and Hindu minorities have been prominent targets, brutality has now extended to the families of opposition political figures as well. In Lakshmipur Sadar, protestors locked the home of a BNP leader from the outside and set it on fire, killing his seven‑year-old daughter, Ayesha Akter, and injuring other family members in a horrific arson attack.

What role did a child have in political contestation? None. Yet such acts have become possible precisely because radical ideologies have dehumanized society.

Erosion of rights and democratic norms

In addition to political violence, religious minorities have also become targets in Bangladesh’s recent turmoil. On 18 December 2025, a 25‑year-old Hindu man, Dipu Chandra Das, was lynched by a mob in Mymensingh District and his body was later tied to a tree and set on fire amid allegations of blasphemy — accusations that police say were unsubstantiated. Shockingly, bystanders were recording videos of the act instead of showing any sympathy or attempting to intervene, taking sadistic pleasure in his suffering—a disturbing reflection of the extremist mindset and communal hostility driving such violence. This brutal killing has sparked protests both inside and outside Bangladesh, with Hindu organizations condemning the act as indicative of rising intolerance and the failure of authorities to protect minority communities. The United Nations has noted that Hindus and other minorities have faced repeated attacks, including on homes and places of worship, during the period of unrest, underscoring a........

© Blitz