A chilling act of violence has shaken Bangladesh’s Jessore district after a Hindu journalist and businessman was brutally murdered in broad daylight. The killing of Rana Pratap Bairagi has once again brought the spotlight on growing concerns over the safety of religious minorities and journalists in the country.
Who Was Rana Pratap Bairagi?
Rana Pratap Bairagi, 38, was a well-known figure in his local community. He ran an ice-making factory at Kopaliya Bazar in Monirampur and also served as the acting editor of a regional newspaper, Dainik BD Khabar, which is published from Narail.
He lived in Arua village under Keshabpur upazila of Jessore district in the Khulna Division. Locals described him as an active businessman and a person deeply involved in local affairs.
How the Shooting Unfolded
The attack took place around 5:45 pm on Monday at Kapalia Bazaar, a busy commercial area. According to police and eyewitness accounts, three men arrived on a motorcycle and called Bairagi out of his ice factory.
The assailants reportedly led him toward a narrow lane near the Kapalia Clinic and Diagnostic Centre. Moments later, gunshots rang out. Bairagi was shot multiple times in the head at close range. The attackers then fled the scene.
He died on the spot, leaving behind a shocked and terrified neighborhood.
Police Launch Investigation
Local police confirmed that Bairagi suffered multiple gunshot wounds and severe injuries to his neck. An investigation has been opened, but so far, no arrests have been made.
Authorities also stated that there were a few legal cases registered against him in two police stations, though details about those cases have not been disclosed. Officials have not yet linked those cases to the motive behind his murder.
For now, the reason for the killing remains unclear.
A Troubling Pattern of Violence
Bairagi’s murder comes amid a disturbing series of violent incidents involving members of the Hindu community in Bangladesh over recent weeks.
Several other attacks have been reported, including brutal lynchings, arson, and mob violence against Hindu individuals in different parts of the country. These incidents have sparked fear and anxiety among minority groups and raised serious questions about their security.
Human rights activists and community leaders have repeatedly called for stronger protection and swift justice to prevent such violence from continuing.
Growing Concerns Over Safety and Press Freedom
As both a Hindu and a working journalist, Bairagi belonged to two vulnerable groups. His killing has triggered renewed debate about the safety of minorities and media professionals in Bangladesh, particularly in smaller towns where local reporters often work without much protection.
Press freedom advocates say targeted violence against journalists, regardless of motive, weakens democracy and spreads fear in society.
The killing of Rana Pratap Bairagi is more than just another crime. It is a stark reminder of the fragile security situation faced by minority communities and journalists in Bangladesh. As his family and colleagues mourn his loss, many now wait anxiously for answers — and for justice.