'Pattern of systematic persecution': India reacts strongly to brutal murder of Hindu leader in Bangladesh

NEW DELHI: India has strongly condemned the brutal killing of Bhabesh Chandra Roy, a prominent Hindu minority leader in Bangladesh, calling it part of a “pattern of systematic persecution” of Hindus under Muhammad Yunus-led interim government.
Ministry of external affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on X (formerly Twitter), “We have noted with distress the abduction and brutal killing of 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. We condemn this incident and once again remind the interim government to live up to its responsibility of protecting all minorities, including Hindus, without inventing excuses or making distinctions.”

Roy, 58, served as the vice-president of the Biral unit of the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad and was a well-known figure in the Hindu community of Dinajpur’s Biral upazila.

According to his wife, Shantana Roy, Bhabesh was at home when he received a phone call around 4:30 pm on Thursday. She said the call was made by the perpetrators to confirm his presence at home. About 30 minutes later, four men reportedly arrived on two motorcycles and abducted him.
Quoting eyewitnesses, The Daily Star reported that Bhabesh was taken to Narabari village, where he was brutally assaulted. Later that evening, the attackers allegedly brought his unconscious body back to his home on a van. Family members, aided by locals, rushed him to the Biral Upazila Health Complex. He was later transferred to Dinajpur Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.
His body has been sent for autopsy.
Quoting Abdus Sabur, officer-in-charge of Biral police station, The Daily Star reported that preparations are underway to file a case. Police are currently working to identify and apprehend the suspects.
The killing has sparked fresh outrage among human rights groups and diaspora communities, who have repeatedly raised concerns over the safety of religious minorities in Bangladesh.