Bangladesh’s interim government on Friday issued a sharp denunciation of the mob assault that led to the death of a Hindu man in Mymensingh, asserting that such acts have no place in what it described as a “New Bangladesh.” Authorities pledged strict action against everyone involved in the crime.

The victim, Dipu Chandra Das, was a young garment factory employee residing in a rented room in the Dubalia Para locality of Bhaluka Upazila. Police said he was confronted late Thursday night by local residents who accused him of making offensive remarks about Prophet Muhammad. The confrontation escalated into a violent attack that proved fatal.

In an official statement from Dhaka, the interim administration said it “unequivocally condemns” the killing and vowed that those responsible would be identified and prosecuted without exception. The government urged citizens to stay alert and resist attempts by what it termed “isolated extremist elements” to spread fear and disorder.

The statement added that Bangladesh is currently navigating a sensitive phase of democratic transition and warned that violence, arson and intimidation would not be allowed to derail the country’s pursuit of peace and stability.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus said Culture Adviser Mustafa Sarwar Faruquee had visited the affected area and other sites damaged during recent unrest. Yunus confirmed that investigators are reviewing CCTV footage to identify those involved in the killing and in attacks on cultural institutions, assuring that legal action would follow.

In a detailed social media post, Yunus described the violence as a deliberate attempt to create chaos during a period of national mourning. He said damaged properties in Dhaka would be repaired with government assistance and that additional security forces, including police and border guards, had been deployed to restore order.

The killing occurred against the backdrop of escalating unrest triggered by the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, a prominent student leader and spokesperson for the radical group Inquilab Mancha. Hadi, who was a key figure in the July 2024 uprising that led to the fall of the previous government, died from gunshot injuries sustained in an attack earlier this month.

Following confirmation of Hadi’s death, large-scale protests erupted across Dhaka and other cities. Demonstrations quickly turned violent, with arson attacks on media houses and cultural centres, and assaults on sites associated with the former administration.

The interim government also expressed solidarity with journalists from The Daily Star, Prothom Alo and New Age, whose offices and staff were targeted during the unrest. It apologised for the violence they endured and reaffirmed its commitment to holding perpetrators accountable, stressing that attacks on journalists amount to attacks on truth itself.

With national elections only weeks away, Bangladesh has once again been thrust into instability. Authorities have appealed for calm, urging citizens to honour democratic ideals by rejecting hate-driven violence and allowing the country’s transition to proceed peacefully.