Ramadan Jihad: Hindu Restaurant Owner Attacked for Serving During the Holiday, Echoing Widespread Restrictions on Non-Muslims

A Hindu restaurant located in front of Osmania Medical College Hospital in Sylhet, Bangladesh, was targeted by Muslim jihadis on March 15, 2024, during Ramadan. The restaurateur, Rajeev Kumar De Raju, was physically assaulted and severely injured in the attack.

The violent attack occurred on the evening of Friday before Iftar at the Tinbhai Restaurant near gate number one of Osmani Hospital, reports the news outlet Hindu Existence. Witnesses reported that Raju was struck on the head with sharp weapons, resulting in significant bleeding. Raju received 18 stitches on his head due to the severity of the attack.

A close friend of the restaurateur, who was working at his establishment, mentioned that Raju kept the restaurant open during Ramadan for Hindu customers, patients at the nearby hospital, and their families visiting the hospital. He served Hindu customers exclusively during the day, covering the shop with a curtain to respect the Muslims observing Roza.

The victim recounted that a few days ago, some locals had harassed him and demanded money upon noticing the restaurant open during the day. Raju steadfastly refused to comply with their demands.

On the day of the attack, the same group of Muslims returned while the restaurateur was selling Iftar items, asserting that such items should not be sold in Hindu establishments. An altercation ensued, escalating into a violent assault on Raju and his staff by the aggressive mob armed with sticks and other weapons. In the chaos, the attackers also looted money from Raju’s cash box.

The assault was orchestrated by a local individual named Sohel Hasan, associated with Tablighi Jamaat, the Islamic terrorist group that led assaults on medical professionals in India during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the ordeal, Raju bravely recounted the events, stating that the jihads not only physically harmed him but also caused significant financial loss by stealing money from his business.

Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mohammad Mainuddin Shipon of Kotwali Model Police Station stated that upon receiving information about the attack, the police promptly visited the scene. However, the cause of the incident remains unknown. Shipon further mentioned that the restaurant authorities have not lodged any complaint thus far.

Currently, Raju’s condition is stable. The rise of Islamic activities during Ramadan in Bangladesh has faced condemnation from various human rights organizations within the country.

Bangladesh is rapidly transforming into a Shari’ah state, disregarding the religious rights of minorities as stated in the Constitution of the ‘Islamic State.’

Targeting Hindus and other religious minorities has become a regular occurrence to instill fear and force them to leave Bangladesh. The administration, police, judiciary, and political parties all exhibit reluctance in safeguarding the rights of minorities in Islamic Bangladesh, even amidst shocking persecution.

It seems wherever Muslims settle, imposing their Ramadan restrictions on non-Muslims has become the new norm. A few examples In the past seven years in Europe include Mulsim France forcing Evian Water to issue an apology for even mentioning water during Ramadan.

Last year, the professional refereeing bodies began enforcing pauses in Premier League and English Football League matches so that Muslim players could break their fast during the holy period of Ramadan. In recent years, similar accommodations have been made in various sporting events worldwide, such as the Olympic Games and international cricket matches.

In 2015, at a French restaurant a Muslim terrorized non-Muslim patrons for daring to eat and drink during Ramadan.

When non-Muslims do not comply with their demands or change their policies and grant Muslims special privileges, violence would likely ensue. As reported previously by RAIR Foundation USA, Muslims have put businesses, teachers, children, leaders, cartoonists, and the rest of the free world on notice: if you insult Muhammad, Islam, their holy books, or even fail to consider Islamic law (Sharia) in all things, they will harm you. 

Television host Bill Maher seems correct when he famously compared Islam to the Mafia during a debate on HBO, “Islam is the only religion that acts like the Mafia, that will f*cking kill you if you say the wrong thing, draw the wrong picture, or write the wrong book”:

Perhaps Bill Maher should consider adding to his list of things that can get you killed: “eating the wrong food, drinking the wrong drink, or doing so at the wrong time or season.”