Bangladesh Blasphemy Case, Explained: Utsab Mandal, The Hindu Teenager (Almost) Beaten To Death

A Hindu youth, Utsab Mandal, was brutally beaten by a mob inside the Sonadanga Police Station in Khulna, Bangladesh, after allegations of blasphemy.

The incident, which occurred on 4 September, has sparked significant concern over the safety of religious minorities in the country.

Blasphemy Allegations Spark Mob Fury

On the evening of 4 September, students from Azam Khan Government Commerce College took Utsab Mandal to the office of the Khulna Metropolitan Deputy Commissioner (South), accusing him of insulting Prophet Muhammad on social media.

As news of the incident spread, a massive crowd—estimated at between 3,000 to 5,000 people—gathered at the spot, demanding that Mandal be handed over to them to face instant justice.

Police, Army Efforts Fail as Mob Brutally Beats Mandal

Deputy Police Commissioner Tazul tried to pacify the crowd, assuring them that action would be taken against Mandal and that he would face justice through legal means.

However, the mob was not satisfied and proceeded to assault Mandal, critically injuring him.

Although army and navy personnel were deployed to manage the situation, the crowd stormed the DCP office and attacked Mandal, who was in police custody at the time.

Despite being in police custody, the Islamist mob brutally thrashed him till he appeared lifeless.

Fake Announcement of Mandal's death to Disperse the Mob

Initial reports suggested he had been killed, but subsequent statements from the Bangladesh Army confirmed he was alive, albeit critically injured, and under medical treatment.

According to local reports, the police used mosque loudspeakers to announce his supposed death in an effort to disperse the mob and restore calm, which led to the media reporting his death.

Later, the local media removed the report from their websites.

He is currently receiving medical care at a hospital under Bangladesh Army supervision and is reportedly out of danger.

The Bangladeshi military, in a statement, emphasised their commitment to preventing extrajudicial killings and upholding the rule of law.

Mandal to Still Face Legal Action

Mandal, once recovered, will face legal proceedings for the alleged blasphemy, as confirmed by the Bangladeshi Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

"Law enforcement is in the process of filing a case against him for hurting religious sentiments. Once he recovers, he will be handed over to law enforcement following due legal procedures," the ISPR said.

This dual narrative of being both a victim of mob violence and an accused in a blasphemy case has raised questions about the legal protections for minorities in Bangladesh.

Muhammad Yunus' dismissal of Attacks on Hindus

This incident comes as Bangladesh Interim government head Muhammad Yunus, in an interview with news agency PTI, had dismissed the issue of attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh as an "excuse".

“The issue of trying to portray the conditions of minorities in such a big way is just an excuse,” he said when asked about the attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh, where Islam is the majority religion.

The Hindu minority community in Bangladesh has seen their businesses and properties vandalised, along with attacks on temples, amidst the student-led unrest that followed Hasina’s removal.

Global Outcry and Calls for Justice

The incident of mob brutally beating the Hindu youth has led to a wave of online protests and calls for justice from Hindu groups within Bangladesh and internationally.

Social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) have been flooded with posts under hashtags like #SaveBangladeshiHindus.

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