ADVERTISEMENT

3rd blogger this year hacked to death

Das wrote for Mukto-Mona, a website once moderated by Avijit Roy, who was himself hacked to death in another machete attack in February.

___3747023___https:______static.pulse.com.gh___webservice___escenic___binary___3747023___2015___5___12___13____81999979_81999978

Ananta Bijoy Das, a blogger with Mukto-Mona has become the 3rd blogger to be murdered this year in Bangaldesh after a machete-wielding gang attacked him in the city of Sylhet.

Das wrote for Mukto-Mona, a website once moderated by Avijit Roy, who was himself hacked to death in another machete attack in February.

Roy, a Bangladeshi-born United States writer, had been returning from a book fair with his wife when he was attacked and subsequently killed. His wife also suffered head injuries in the attack and lost a finger.

Also in March, another blogger, Washiqur Rahman, was hacked to death in Dhaka.

ADVERTISEMENT

All 3  criticised religious intolerance in their writings and Roy's death prompted massive protests from students and social activists, who accused the authorities of failing to protect critics of religious bigotry.

According to Sara Hossain, a lawyer and human rights activist in Dhaka who spoke with BBC, Das and Roy were on a list of targets owing to their vocal support of free expression and their views of not following any religion.

In her words:

"These last two have been part of a blog called Mukto-Mona (Free Mind), which is about free thinking and is about explicitly taking on religious fundamentalism and particularly Islamic religious fundamentalism. Their names have been on lists of identified targets."

BBC reports that an Islamist has been arrested over Roy's murder, while two madrassa students have been arrested over Rahman's killing.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

Hardship: Abiodun to begin sale of rice to Ogun residents at 50% discount

Hardship: Abiodun to begin sale of rice to Ogun residents at 50% discount

Labour Party offers Peter Obi 2027 presidential ticket unopposed

Labour Party offers Peter Obi 2027 presidential ticket unopposed

Allow us build seaports, railways to develop the South-East - Ohanaeze tells FG

Allow us build seaports, railways to develop the South-East - Ohanaeze tells FG

UCH Ibadan workers are tired of working in darkness as power outage persists

UCH Ibadan workers are tired of working in darkness as power outage persists

Armed robbery suspect who killed police officer begs govt to have mercy on him

Armed robbery suspect who killed police officer begs govt to have mercy on him

Tinubu enlists Dangote, Elumelu, Rabiu, others in Economic Coordination Council

Tinubu enlists Dangote, Elumelu, Rabiu, others in Economic Coordination Council

Sanwo-Olu doesn't want you to blame govt for current hardship in the country

Sanwo-Olu doesn't want you to blame govt for current hardship in the country

Okuama: Slain officers left behind 3 pregnant widows, 21 orphans – Lagbaja

Okuama: Slain officers left behind 3 pregnant widows, 21 orphans – Lagbaja

Joke Silva describes neglect of Lagos theatres as sad development

Joke Silva describes neglect of Lagos theatres as sad development

Pulse Sports

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT