The Hindu restaurant located in front of Osmania Medical College Hospital in Sylhet, Bangladesh, was targeted by Muslim extremists on 15 March. The restaurateur, Rajeev Kumar De Raju, was not only physically assaulted but also severely injured in the attack.
The incident occurred on the evening of Friday before Iftar at the Tinbhai Restaurant near gate number one of Osmani Hospital, reports Hindu Existence. Witnesses reported that Raju was struck on the head with sharp weapons, resulting in significant bleeding. Raju had to receive 18 stitches on his head due to the severity of the attack.
A close friend of the restaurateur, who was working at the place, mentioned that Raju kept the restaurant open during Ramadan for Hindu patients at the hospital nearby and their families visiting the hospital. He served Hindu customers exclusively during the day, covering the shop with a curtain to respect the Muslims observing Roza.
The victim said that a few days ago, some locals had harassed him and demanded money when they saw the restaurant open during the day. Raju refused to comply with their demands.
On the day of the attack, the same miscreants returned while the restaurateur was selling Iftar items, claiming that such items should not be sold in Hindu establishments. An altercation ensued, leading to a violent assault on Raju and his staff by the aggressive mob armed with sticks and other weapons. The attackers also looted money from Raju’s cash box during the chaos.
The assault was orchestrated by a local individual named Sohel Hasan, associated with Tablighi Jamaat, the Islamic outfit that led assaults on medical professionals in India during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the ordeal, Raju bravely recounted the events, stating that the attackers not only physically harmed him but also caused significant financial loss by stealing money from his business.
Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mohammad Mainuddin Shipon of Kotwali Model Police Station stated that upon receiving information about the attack, the police promptly visited the scene. However, the cause of the incident remains unknown. Shipon further mentioned that the restaurant authorities have not lodged any complaint thus far.
Currently, Raju’s condition is stable. The rise of Islamist activities during Ramadan in Bangladesh has faced condemnation from various human rights organizations within the country.
Bangladesh is rapidly transforming into a Shari’ah state, disregarding the religious rights of minorities as stated in the Constitution of the ‘Islamic State’.
Targeting Hindus and other religious minorities has become a regular occurrence to instil fear and force them to leave Bangladesh. The administration, police, judiciary, and political parties all exhibit reluctance in safeguarding the rights of minorities in Islamic Bangladesh, even amidst shocking persecution.
