Guwahati: The abduction and subsequent killing of a Hindu activist in Bangladesh ignited another row of outrage as India termed it a systematic murder of minorities in the Muslim majority south Asian nation. New Delhi has officially reacted to the brutal killing of Bhabesh Chandra Roy, an office bearer of Biral Upazila Puja Udjapan Parishad, in Dinajpur locality as another example of atrocities on Hindus in the neighbouring country. He was reportedly kidnapped from his residence in Basudebpur village on 17 April 2025 and beaten to death by four individuals. They came on two bikes after confirming his presence at home and took Roy (58) away towards Narabari village in the afternoon hours. According to his wife Shantana Roy, the perpetrators first called him by phone to ensure his presence at home and after a few minutes they arrived to bring him with them. When Roy returned back by a vehicle, he was almost unconscious, and family members took him to a nearby hospital where he was declared dead.
“We have noted with distress the abduction and brutal killing of Shri Bhabesh Chandra Roy, a Hindu minority leader in Bangladesh. This killing follows a pattern of systematic persecution of Hindu minorities under the interim government even as the perpetrators of previous such events roam with impunity,” said Randhir Jaiswal, spokesman of India’s foreign ministry on social media, adding, “We condemn this incident and once again remind the interim government (in Dhaka) to live up to its responsibility of protecting all minorities, including Hindus, without inventing excuses or making distinctions.”
The prime opposition Congress party also condemned Roy’s killing and urged the Union government to take up the matter with the highest urgency and prevail upon the regime in Dhaka to ensure a credible investigation to punish the culprits. The abduction and assault leading to Roy’s tragic death is a chilling reminder of the growing sense of insecurity among religious minorities in the region, commented senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, adding that it’s not an isolated incident. Over the past months, there have been repeated and deeply disturbing instances of attacks on minority communities in Bangladesh, from desecration of Hindu temples to targeted attacks on the homes and businesses of minorities. This pattern of intimidation and brutality cannot be ignored, he added.
Dhaka-based human rights group ‘Aain o Salis Kendra’ recently reported that 147 incidents of vandalism targeting Hindu houses, temples and businesses took place last month. It explained that over 408 households, including 36 cases of arson, were recorded where 113 attacks took place against Hindu-owned business groups. Moreover, 32 incidents of vandalism on temples and Ahmadiyya mosques were reported during the period.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while meeting with Bangladesh’s interim government head Professor Muhammad Yunus in Bangkok on the sidelines of 6th BIMSTEC summit, reiterated India’s concern on the safety and security of religious minorities in Bangladesh. Days back, the United States renewed its travel advisory for Bangladesh, where it urged American citizens to reconsider visiting the country in general and Chittagong Hill Tracts region in particular over elevated threats of violence, terrorism, and kidnapping.
