Fundamentalists attack members of LGBTQ communities in Shahbagh

Staff Correspondent

Dhaka, 11 April 2026: A local mob attacked several members of the transgender (third gender) and homosexual (gay) community in the capital’s Shahbagh area yesterday evening. According to eyewitnesses and social media reports, the incident took place in front of the National Museum. Several people were reportedly injured in the attack, but no deaths were reported.

Members of the transgender and LGBTQ+ community hang out in front of the Shahbagh National Museum every Friday. Tensions flared up there yesterday evening. They were allegedly chased away by local mobs and members of the Towhidi Janata group with a one-minute ultimatum and later beaten up. Video footage shows the agitated mob chasing them and removing them from the Shahbagh area.

Earlier, on April 3, journalist Borhan Uddin Yasin was attacked in the same area due to a dispute between transgender people and the journalist, in which the journalist was seriously injured. The current incident is being seen as a continuation of that tension.

There has long been resentment among locals over the presence of transgender and gay people in the Shahbagh area. Many complain that they make obscene gestures and behave in a way that is out of keeping with the local environment. On the other hand, community members say they were just there to hang out and the attack was gratuitous and violent. When a video of the incident went viral on social media, it sparked widespread discussion and criticism. While some have called the mob attack a “spontaneous resistance,” human rights activists have condemned such violence. They say violence against any person is unacceptable and that the law should not be taken into one’s own hands.

The police have not yet officially reported any cases or arrests. The local administration is reportedly trying to keep the situation under control. Background Members of the LGBTQ+ community in Bangladesh have long been under pressure due to social and religious conservatism. There are allegations that the influence of conservative groups has increased in some areas after the political changes in 2024. There have been previous attacks on transgender people in various places, including Cox’s Bazar.

Concerned citizens have called on all parties to show restraint in the incident. They say that law enforcement agencies should conduct an impartial investigation, take action against the culprits, and ensure the safety of minority communities.