Hindu Boy Utsav Mondal Lynched by Mob in Khulna, Bangladesh Over Blasphemy Accusations

Sep 6, 2024, 04:44 AM

A 17-year-old Hindu boy named Utsav Mondal was lynched by an Islamist mob in Bangladesh's Khulna after being accused of blasphemy. The incident occurred inside a police station where Mondal had sought protection. Despite the presence of police and soldiers, the mob followed him and beat him to death. Initial reports from Bangladeshi media covered the incident extensively, but coverage dwindled after the video went viral globally. The local mosque announced his death through loudspeakers, prompting the mob to disperse. However, conflicting reports later emerged stating that Mondal, also referred to as Utsab Mandal and aged 15 or 18 in different reports, is alive and receiving treatment at a hospital. Police had to falsely declare him dead to satisfy the radicals.