Pattern of systematic persecution: India condemns killing of a Hindu community leader in Bangladesh

Condemning the incident, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal wrote on X handle: "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."

"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," he said.

Hindu Man Killed

A Hindu man, a prominent local community leader, was allegedly abducted and beaten to death in Bangladesh's Dinajpur region, media reports said, an episode once again highlighting the growing atrocities faced by minorities in the South Asian country since the fall of the former PM Sheikh Hasina-led government on August 5, 2024.

The deceased person was identified as Bhabesh Chandra Roy (58).

Roy was a resident of Basudebpur village under Shatagram Union.

According to reports, he was a prominent Hindu leader of the Biral region.

Police recovered his body on Thursday night.

His wife, Shantana Roy, told The Daily Star that Bhabesh was at home in the afternoon when he received a phone call around 4:30pm.

She claimed the perpetrators made the call to confirm his presence at home.

She said four men arrived at the scene 30 minutes later on two motorcycles and abducted him.

Witnesses told The Daily Star that they saw the men take him to Narabari village, where he was brutally assaulted.

Abdus Sabur, officer-in-charge of Biral Police Station, told the newspaper preparations were underway to file a case.

He said the police are trying to catch those behind the attack.

Bangladesh has witnessed a spike in attacks on minorities, especially Hindus, ever since Hasina exited following severe protests against her government.

The interim government has failed to reduce the attacks on the minorities.

Modi-Yunus meeting

During his first official meeting with Bangladesh interim government chief Muhammad Yunus, Indian PM Modi reportedly conveyed India’s “deep concerns” over the safety of Hindus and other minority communities in Bangladesh.

He urged that Dhaka must investigate incidents of violence and ensure accountability.

In the meeting, held on the sidelines of the sixth BIMSTEC summit in Bangkok, Modi also highlighted the progress in India-Bangladesh ties since 2014, calling it a “deep friendship between our societies and people”.

He cautioned that rhetoric which could inflame tensions should be avoided.

This is the first time Modi and Yunus have met since he took charge of the interim government.

The relationship between India and Bangladesh turned frosty following the toppling of Hasina's regime, who is perceived as a pro-Delhi leader.