Amid the ongoing tensions in Bangladesh, where several reports claim targeted Hindus/minorities are murdered, houses burnt, in the latest instance it is known that Rahul Ananda, a Hindu musician in Dhaka, faced a violent attack on his home by an angry mob after the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government in Bangladesh.
The mob looted and set fire to his residence in Dhanmondi 32 on Monday afternoon. Fortunately, Mr. Ananda, his wife, and their son escaped unharmed. However, the attackers stole many items and destroyed Ananda’s collection of over 3,000 handmade musical instruments.
A close family source told The Daily Star, a Bangladeshi English-language newspaper, that the attackers broke the gate and then ransacked the house, taking everything from furniture to valuables before setting the entire house, including Ananda’s musical instruments, on fire.
Rahul Ananda is a musician, lyricist, and singer who leads the popular folk band Joler Gaan in Dhaka.
Attacks on minorities, including Hindus, have increased in Bangladesh after the prime minister was ousted due to mass protests over a controversial job quota in government services. According to AFP, several houses, businesses, and religious sites have been torched and vandalized by violent protesters in the past two days.