Hindu Man Killed in Bangladesh Over 'Jizya' Tax Demand, Sparks Minority Fears

• Sarat Chakraborty Mani, a 40-year-old Hindu shop owner in Narsingdi, Bangladesh, was killed after allegedly being pressured for 'jizya' tax.
• Mani was assaulted in early January 2026 and later died; men reportedly demanded money and threatened his wife if he went to police.
• Historically, 'jizya' was a tax on non-Muslims in some Islamic empires, exempting them from military service and offering state protection.
• Bangladesh has no legal basis for 'jizya'; any such demand is extortion, say rights activists, highlighting fear and intimidation.
• The incident has reignited worries among Bangladesh's Hindu community about safety and discrimination, prompting calls for justice.

Why It Matters: A Hindu man's killing over 'jizya' demands in Bangladesh highlights minority safety concerns and extortion.