Sayan Ghosh Attacked in Dhaka: Allegations of Religious Targeting

Sayan Ghosh, a tourist from Belghoria, West Bengal, was allegedly attacked by a mob in the Jurain area of Dhaka, Bangladesh. According to Ghosh, the attack was motivated by his identity as an Indian and a Hindu, as reported by News18.

Details of the Attack

The incident occurred when Ghosh visited a local market with a friend. He claimed that a group of 5-6 individuals approached him, asking about his nationality and purpose in Bangladesh. Upon learning he was Indian and a Hindu, the group allegedly attacked him.
“They thrashed me as soon as they heard I was Indian. They used a knife and even hit me with a stone. I could have lost my eyesight,” Ghosh said. His friend was also assaulted, and the attackers reportedly stole their belongings.

Lack of Assistance from Bystanders

Ghosh expressed dismay at the indifference of passersby, stating that instead of helping, they questioned his presence in Bangladesh. He also faced difficulties in receiving medical treatment, as some medics were hesitant to assist him.

Family's Reaction and Next Steps

Ghosh’s father, Sukanto Ghosh, confirmed the incident and mentioned his son’s state of shock. “We had advised him not to go, but he insisted. We will take him to a doctor and file a complaint with the high commission,” he said.

Harassment of Host Family

Following the attack, Ghosh stayed at his friend’s house to recover. However, the family reportedly faced harassment from local officials and others, who warned them about the risks of hosting an Indian.

Context of Rising Tensions in Bangladesh

Ghosh’s attack occurred against the backdrop of rising tensions in Bangladesh, where protests have broken out over the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, an ISKCON member. His supporters claim the sedition charges against him are driven by political motives.

Current Status

While Ghosh is recovering at home, he remains traumatised. His family plans to seek help from Indian authorities to address the incident.

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Summary

Sayan Ghosh, an Indian tourist from West Bengal, was allegedly attacked in Dhaka, Bangladesh, by a mob who targeted him for being Indian and Hindu. The incident occurred in the Jurain area when he visited a local market with a friend. The attackers reportedly used a knife and stones, injuring Ghosh and his friend, and stole their belongings.

Ghosh was shocked by the lack of help from bystanders, who questioned his presence instead of assisting him. Medical care was also hard to get. After the attack, Ghosh recovered at a friend’s home, but the host family faced harassment from locals and officials for hosting an Indian.

The attack happened amidst growing unrest in Bangladesh due to protests over the arrest of a Hindu monk, Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, an ISKCON member, on sedition charges. Supporters claim the charges are politically motivated. Ghosh, still traumatised, is recovering at home. His family plans to approach Indian authorities for help.