Liton Chandra Ghosh, a 55-year-old Hindu businessman in Gazipur, Bangladesh, was killed while protecting a worker. Police detained three suspects in the assault.
On the morning of the attack, tensions flared when 28-year-old Masum Mia entered Ghosh’s shop and had a verbal dispute with 17-year-old employee Ananta Das over a minor matter.
A well-known sweetshop owner in Bangladesh’s Gazipur district, Liton Chandra Ghosh, also known as Kali, was tragically killed on Saturday while trying to defend a young employee from a violent dispute. The incident has drawn attention to growing concerns over attacks on minorities in Bangladesh, especially ahead of the country’s national elections.
Liton Chandra Ghosh, 55, was the proprietor of Baishakhi Sweetmeat and Hotel, a popular eatery in the Kaliganj area of Gazipur, Bangladesh. Locals fondly knew him for running the business along Baranagar Road and for supporting his employees, often treating them like family.
On the morning of the attack, tensions flared when 28-year-old Masum Mia entered Ghosh’s shop and had a verbal dispute with 17-year-old employee Ananta Das over a minor matter. Witnesses said the heated conversation quickly turned physical.
Masum’s parents, 55-year-old Mohammad Swapan Mia and 45-year-old Majeda Khatun, soon joined him. When Ghosh stepped in to protect his employee and calm the situation, he was attacked. Police and eyewitnesses say Ghosh was hit on the head and chest with a shovel and fell to the ground. He died at the scene despite efforts to help him.
Police detained Masum Mia, his father, Swapan Mia, and his mother, Majeda Khatun, shortly after the incident. Authorities are investigating the case and have said formal legal action will follow.
Kaliganj Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge, Md Zakir Hossain, said preliminary findings indicate that Ghosh died from severe injuries sustained during the assault. Police are questioning the suspects and gathering evidence to build a case.
Some local reports suggest the altercation may have been triggered by a dispute over a bunch of bananas believed to have gone missing from a nearby orchard owned by Swapan Mia. Masum allegedly found the bananas in Ghosh’s shop and confronted the employee, eventually leading to the deadly clash. However, officials say the precise motive is still under investigation.
Ghosh’s killing comes amid a series of violent incidents involving members of the Hindu minority in Bangladesh. Between December 2025 and January 2026, rights groups recorded at least 15 Hindu individuals murdered in a short period, stirring fears among minority communities about safety and security.
The violence has included public lynchings, shootings, and fatal assaults in different districts, leading to growing local and international concern over the protection of minority rights.
News of Ghosh’s death has sparked outrage among residents, who described him as a responsible and respected businessman. Community members expressed grief and urged authorities to ensure justice is served swiftly.
International observers and some foreign lawmakers have also raised concerns about escalating violence targeting religious minorities in Bangladesh, especially as the national elections approach.
The tragic death of Liton Chandra Ghosh underscores heightened tensions and the vulnerability of minority communities in Bangladesh. While police describe this particular incident as a criminal matter, critics argue that repeated attacks on Hindus reflect deeper social and political anxieties.
As investigations continue and legal proceedings begin against the accused, authorities face pressure to address broader concerns about minority safety and justice in a peaceful, pluralistic society.
