Hindu Journalist Shot Dead in Bangladesh Amid Rising Minority Attacks

• Rana Pratap Bairagi, a Hindu journalist and factory owner, was shot dead in public in Monirampur upazila, Jessore district.
• Bairagi's killing is the latest in a series of violent incidents targeting Bangladesh's Hindu community since December.
• Other attacks include the brutal murder of businessman Khokon Das and the lynching of garment worker Dipu Chandra Das over unproven blasphemy claims.
• A Hindu widow was gang-raped and assaulted in Kaliganj, and a district administrator faced abuse for cancelling a candidate's nomination.
• The Yunus-led interim administration is criticized for failing to protect minorities as elections approach on February 12.

Why It Matters: Escalating violence against Hindus in Bangladesh raises serious concerns about minority safety and governance ahead of elections.