Protect minorities without excuses: India slams Bangladesh over killing of Hindu leader

India on Saturday (April 19) slammed the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government in Bangladesh over the abduction and subsequent murder of a prominent Hindu minority leader, Bhabesh Chandra Roy, urging the neighbouring country to protect all minorities without making excuses.

The Ministry of External Affairs in a sharply worded statement condemned the murder stating that it follows a “pattern of systematic persecution” of Hindu minorities even as the accused in earlier cases are at large.

Also read: Hindu community leader abducted, beaten to death in Bangladesh

'Killing follows a pattern'

“We have noted with distress the abduction and brutal killing of Shri Bhabesh Chandra Roy, a Hindu minority leader in Bangladesh,” says the statement.

“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,” it adds.

India reminded the neighbouring country to fulfill its responsibility of protecting minorities without making any excuses.

“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,” the statement says.

Oppn slams PM Modi

The incident has prompted the Opposition to take potshots at Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge alleging that it proves that Modi’s meeting with Bangladesh's interim head Muhammad Yunus was a failure.

Also read: US issues stricter travel advisory for Bangladesh citing civil unrest, terrorism

“The brutal killing of Shri Bhabesh Chandra Roy, a prominent Hindu leader, is proof that @narendramodi's meeting with the Chief Advisor of Bangladesh was a failure,” said Kharge in a post in Hindi on X.

“According to the reply given by the Government of India in the Parliament, in the last two months, 76 attacks were carried out on Hindus, in which 23 Hindus were killed. Attacks on other religious minorities are also continuing,” he added.

About the incident

According to local media reports, the body of Roy, 58, a resident of Basudebpur village of Dinajpur, about 330 kmnorthwest of Dhaka, was recovered on Thursday night.

Also read: 'Focus on your minorities': India slams Bangladesh's remark on Bengal violence

Roy’s wife Shantana told Daily Star that he received a phone call at around 4.30 pm and alleged that the call was made by the perpetrators who sought to confirm that he was at home.

“Approximately 30 minutes later, four men arrived on two motorcycles and allegedly abducted Bhabesh from the premises,” the report said. It further stated Roy was severely assaulted after being taken to Narabari village. He later succumbed to injuries at a hospital in Dinajpur.

(With inputs from agencies)