India Condemns Killing of Hindu Leader Bhabesh Chandra Roy in Bangladesh, Slams Interim Government Over Minority Safety
In a strongly worded diplomatic statement, India has condemned the recent kidnapping and brutal murder of Bhabesh Chandra Roy, a prominent Hindu minority leader in northern Bangladesh. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs expressed deep concern over the worsening situation for minority communities in Bangladesh and accused the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government of failing to ensure their safety.
The Incident
Bhabesh Chandra Roy, aged 58, was kidnapped from his residence in Basudebpur village in the Dinajpur district of Bangladesh. According to reports, Roy received a phone call around 4:30 pm on Wednesday, believed to be from his attackers. Within 30 minutes, four men on two motorcycles arrived at his home and forcibly took him to Narabari village, where he was allegedly beaten. He was later returned to his home in an unconscious state and rushed to a local hospital in Dinajpur, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.
This incident has shocked both local and international communities, especially given Roy’s stature as a vocal advocate for the Hindu minority in the region.
India’s Official Response
India’s Ministry of External Affairs issued a strong statement expressing its grief and anger over the killing. “We have noted with distress the abduction and brutal killing of Shri Bhabesh Chandra Roy, a Hindu minority leader in Bangladesh,” the ministry said. The statement further alleged that this was not an isolated event but part of a larger trend of systematic persecution of Hindu minorities in Bangladesh.
“This killing follows a pattern… even as the perpetrators of previous such events roam with impunity,” the statement said, holding the interim government responsible for failing to protect its minority populations. The Indian government has urged the Bangladeshi authorities to take swift and strict action against those responsible and ensure justice is served.
Political Reactions in India
The murder of Bhabesh Chandra Roy has also sparked political outrage within India. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent diplomatic engagement with Muhammad Yunus, calling it ineffective in addressing the concerns of minorities in Bangladesh.
“In Bangladesh, religious minorities, especially our Hindu brothers and sisters, are continuously facing atrocities,” Kharge said. “The brutal murder of a prominent Hindu community leader, Mr Bhabesh Chandra Roy, is evidence that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s cordial meeting with Bangladesh’s Chief Advisor has failed.”
Kharge also cited parliamentary data suggesting there had been at least 76 attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh in the past two months, resulting in 23 deaths. He claimed that violence against other minority groups was also on the rise.
In response, BJP spokesperson Charu Pragya defended the Prime Minister’s diplomacy, stating that India’s relationship is with Bangladesh as a nation, not any specific regime. She also accused the Congress party of hypocrisy and failing to address similar issues within India, especially in states like West Bengal.
International Concerns
The United States also weighed in on the deteriorating situation in Bangladesh by reissuing a travel advisory. The advisory warns American citizens to reconsider visiting Bangladesh due to increasing incidents of violence, including targeted attacks on religious minorities.
“Kidnappings have occurred in the region… including those targeting members of religious minorities,” the advisory stated, also mentioning threats from separatist groups, political unrest, and terrorist activities.
US government employees stationed in Bangladesh have been prohibited from traveling to specific regions deemed high-risk.
Call for Accountability and Protection
The tragic death of Bhabesh Chandra Roy has not only intensified diplomatic tensions between India and Bangladesh but has also brought international attention to the plight of minorities in the region. Human rights organisations are now calling for independent investigations and more robust protections for vulnerable communities.
India has made it clear that it expects the interim Bangladeshi government to take immediate and transparent action to ensure such incidents do not repeat. As regional and global focus sharpens on minority rights, the pressure is mounting on Dhaka to deliver justice and rebuild trust among its communities.
Conclusion:
The killing of Bhabesh Chandra Roy marks a grim reminder of the dangers faced by minority communities in politically unstable environments. India’s strong response reflects both diplomatic concern and domestic pressure to protect Hindu minorities abroad. The world will now be watching closely to see how Bangladesh addresses this crisis.
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