On Sunday, a new row erupted in Bangladesh when 69-year-old Paresh Chandra Shil and 35-year-old Bishnu Chandra Shil鈥攁 father-son barber duo鈥攚ere dragged from their salon in Lalmonirhat district, 325 kilometers from capital Dhaka, and thrashed publicly on allegations of showing disrespect to the Prophet.
But the Sils, both of whom are now behind bars, have a different tale to tell. According to them, at the heart of the accusation is a dispute over 10 taka (currency in Bangladesh). Diptirani Roy, Bishnu鈥檚 wife, said: 鈥淲hen my sister-in-law came, she insisted that we must go and find out the truth behind the incident. We went to jail and asked them what really happened. How did it spiral out of control? Both my husband and my father-in-law told me it is because of 10 taka. They asked the complainant for payment for their service but he refused to pay up. An argument ensued and while leaving their shop, the man threatened my father-in-law with dire consequences. My father-in-law and my husband are innocent.鈥
News18 spoke to local sources in Bangladesh who backed Roy鈥檚 claim.
Diptirani (News18)
Human Rights Congress for Bangladesh Minorities too confirmed Roy鈥檚 allegation that the blasphemy charge is due to a petty financial dispute. The organisation has also confirmed the customer鈥檚 name to be Md Abdul Ajiz, a self-declared Imam of a local mosque.
A viral video is evidence enough to suggest how even a 69-year-old wasn鈥檛 spared by the mob. Bangladesh-based rights organisations like Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), Naripokkho, and Shujan (Citizens for Good Governance) have expressed deep concern over the incident and issued a statement warning of 鈥渕ob culture鈥 in the country.
After Bangladesh鈥檚 former prime minister Sheikh Hasina fled to India on August 5, 2024, there were reports of large-scale violence against minorities, resulting in even deaths. Hindus, who make up about 8 per cent of Bangladesh鈥檚 population of 170 million, bore the maximum brunt of it and many would argue they continue to do so in the form of legal harassment like the Sils are facing.
The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council estimates that communal violence has affected at least 52 of the country鈥檚 64 districts since August 5.
The targeted attacks made even Prime Minister Narendra Modi appeal for 鈥渟afety and protection鈥 of Hindus as well as other minorities in Bangladesh last year. The attacks also caught the attention of the office of the United Nations Secretary-General who called for the violence in the country to be 鈥渢amped down鈥 and condemned any 鈥渞acially based attacks鈥 last year.