In Balasore, Odisha, a 33-year-old man was lynched, allegedly after being forced to chant a religious slogan. Police have arrested three suspects in connection with the incident.
Across India, several instances of mob lynching have been reported in the recent past. A report by the Centre for the Study of Society and Secularism (CSSS) recorded 14 incidents of mob lynching in 2025, resulting in eight deaths of Muslims and injuries to 14 others. The report also documented 28 incidents of communal violence, which led to four fatalities and at least 360 injuries. The CSSS report identified cow vigilantism and allegations of "love jihad" or interfaith relationships as the primary triggers behind these attacks. Other causes included accusations of theft, suspicions of illegal immigration, allegations of raising "pro-Pakistan" slogans, and refusal to chant "Jai Shri Ram". The report noted a slight increase in mob lynching incidents compared to 2024, when 13 such cases were recorded. Uttar Pradesh reported the highest number of incidents with four, followed by Madhya Pradesh with three.
In April 2025, a man was killed in Mangaluru after a mob accused him of raising pro-Pakistan slogans during a cricket match. Police arrested 15 people in connection with the lynching.
In December 2025, Ramnarayan Baghel, a migrant laborer from Chhattisgarh, was lynched in Kerala. His attackers reportedly questioned him about his identity and whether he was "Bangladeshi". The Kerala government characterized the incident as a manifestation of hate crimes and mob violence against migrants and marginalized groups in India. A post-mortem examination revealed that Baghel sustained over 80 injuries.
Also in December 2025, Dipu Chandra Das, a Hindu garment worker in Bangladesh, was beaten, hanged, and set on fire after being accused of making derogatory remarks about Islam. Investigators later reported that there was no evidence to support the allegation. Authorities arrested Yasin Arafat, a former teacher, who is believed to have incited and led the attack.
In another incident in Bangladesh, Amrit Mondal, a Hindu man, was lynched. While condemning the death, the government stated that the lynching arose from "extortion and terrorist activities" and not from communal motivations.
These incidents highlight a disturbing trend of mob violence and extrajudicial killings, often fueled by religious intolerance, xenophobia, and unsubstantiated allegations. Concerns have been raised regarding the role of the state in addressing mob lynching incidents, with accusations of indifference, delayed action, and, in some cases, collusion with perpetrators. Activists and human rights organizations are calling for impartial investigations, accountability for perpetrators, and measures to combat hate speech and promote tolerance.
