Extremists Shut Down Vegetarian Hindu Hotel Over Beef Issue

Staff Reporter

Extremists targeted and shut down “Govinda’s Kitchen,” a vegetarian Hindu hotel in Malibagh, Dhaka, claiming it did not serve beef. The attack occurred on January 16, with the assailants identifying themselves as “Touhidi Janata.” Several staff members were injured while resisting the vandalism.

Although the extremists cited the absence of beef, the incident is believed to be fueled by provocative posts on social media. A Facebook account named “Paradoxical Sajid,” with a large following, accused Hindu-owned hotels of being hubs for conspiracies, including links to Indian intelligence agencies.

Screenshots of similar calls to monitor other Hindu-owned hotels in Chattogram have also surfaced online.

“Govinda’s Kitchen,” known for its affordable vegetarian meals, was a popular choice among Hindus and low-income Muslims. The attack left local residents shocked and angered.

Rajat Saha, a local Hindu, remarked, “This was more than a restaurant for us—it was a blessing for anyone who couldn’t afford meat or fish. Where will people go now?”

Another attack occurred at “Capital Hotel & Restaurant,” a Muslim-owned establishment. Despite its Islamic branding, extremists labeled it an ally of Hindu fundamentalism and vandalized it.

Following the violence, there was no visible law enforcement presence, and leading media outlets largely remained silent, drawing criticism from netizens.

A Facebook user, Kajal Chandra Das, expressed frustration, writing, “This country has become lawless. There’s no justice for minorities. We fought for independence in 1971 to live freely, yet today, we face even worse discrimination.”