Threats from locals at night, DU student found dead in the morning

The body of Shakil Ahmed, 24, a Dhaka University fine arts student, was found Tuesday morning in his home in Dakshin Jamsha in Singair of Manikganj.

Shakil was a final-year student at the Faculty of Fine Art, Dhaka University. He was the son of Nasiruddin Ahmed, also of Dakshin Jamsha village.

According to police and local sources, a group of people  – including some from his own village – went to Shakil’s house Monday night and threatened him and his family over a Facebook post he had made. 

Later that night, around 2:00am, Shakil allegedly took his own life by hanging inside his house.

Singair Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Taufiq Azam said that the student's body was recovered in the morning and sent to the morgue at Manikganj Medical College Hospital for autopsy. A case of unnatural death has been registered in connection with the incident.

Before his death, Shakil posted four messages on Facebook Monday night. In his final post, he wrote: "I am not an atheist. Everyone in the village calls me an atheist. I know it, and my God knows it too — I have not insulted Prophet Muhammad. My father was proud of me, and everyone in the village respected me. Today, I have lost that respect among my own people. Tomorrow, everyone will abuse my father and disrespect my mother. I cannot bear this shame. As a son, I cannot live in this world knowing I have destroyed my parents’ dignity. I know suicide is a great sin. I have committed many sins, and today I prepare for one last."

Police and locals confirmed that the post was originally made seven to eight months ago and later deleted by the student. However, it resurfaced and went viral again Monday night, triggering the threats from local residents.

Following the online backlash, villagers reportedly confronted Shakil and his family at their home. Later that night, he was found dead.

The tragic incident has sparked concern over rising intolerance and digital harassment in rural communities, as well as the urgent need for awareness and legal safeguards to protect individuals from cyberbullying and social media-fuelled hostility.