Former Hindu minister dies in Bangladesh jail, questions raised over Yunus government
Dhaka (The Uttam Hindu): Ramesh Chandra Sen, a prominent Hindu leader and former minister of Bangladesh, died in police custody on Saturday. His death has once again put the interim government led by Mohammad Yunus under scrutiny. While the administration is claiming it was a death due to illness, people on social media and in hushed tones are calling it a "custodial death." The 85-year-old Sen was known for his impeccable image and helpful nature. After the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government, when prominent leaders were fleeing the country, Sen chose to stay in his country, after which he was arrested.
He died within 20 minutes of reaching the hospital.
According to reports, Ramesh Chandra Sen had been suffering from several illnesses for a long time. His health suddenly deteriorated in the Dinajpur District Jail on Saturday morning. Jail authorities admitted him to the emergency department of the Dinajpur Medical College Hospital at around 9:10 a.m. However, his condition was so critical that doctors declared him dead shortly after treatment began, at 9:29 a.m. He was a five-time Member of Parliament and previously served as Water Resources Minister. He won his last election in 2014.
Allegations of medical negligence and political vendetta
Ramesh Chandra Sen's death has sparked debate about the state of prisons in Bangladesh and the treatment of Awami League leaders. Sources say that despite being a former minister in Mohammad Yunus's government, Sen was not receiving the medical care he deserved in prison. He was charged with three counts, including murder. Since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government in August 2024, allegations of political vendetta against opposition leaders have been circulating. At least five top Awami League leaders have died after falling ill in custody, raising questions about the administration's role.
The police took him away tied with ropes
When Ramesh Chandra Sen was arrested in August 2024, some disturbing images of him surfaced. Police were seen leading an elderly and respected politician away, tied with cattle ropes. Those images shocked human rights activists even at the time. Now, following his death, there's a wave of anger on Bangladeshi social media. Dhaka-based content creator Pradeep Kumar Chowdhury wrote on Facebook that this is no ordinary death. He said that while the administration may attribute it to illness, it is part of a genocide that has been ongoing since August 5, 2024. Ramesh Chandra Sen's name has now been added to the list of hundreds of murders.