Who Was Bhabesh Chandra Roy, Hindu Leader Who Was Abducted, Killed In Bangladesh?

Last Updated:April 19, 2025, 12:00 IST

Bhabesh Chandra Roy, a resident of Basudebpur village of Dinajpur, was abducted from his house and brutally beaten to death, amid rising violence against Hindus in Bangladesh.

Violence against Bangladeshi Hindus has been on the rise since last year. (PTI File Photo)

In yet another instance of minority violence in Bangladesh, a prominent Hindu community leader in the country’s Dinajpur district was abducted from his home and mercilessly beaten to death by a group of bike-borne assailants.

Bhabesh Chandra Roy, a resident of Basudebpur village of Dinajpur, which is about 330 kilometres northwest of Dhaka, was recovered on Thursday night, according to The Daily Star, quoting police and family members.

This comes amid a rise in attacks against the Hindu minorities in Bangladesh following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina’s government, which has strained ties between India and Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus’ interim government in Dhaka. India has time and again raised concerns about the atrocities against Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh

Who Was Bhabesh Chandra Roy?

Bhabesh Chandra Roy was the vice-president of the Biral unit of the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad. He was also a prominent leader in the Hindu community of the area.

Bhabesh’s wife, Shantana Roy, told The Daily Star that he was at home in the afternoon when he received a phone call around 4:30 pm, which was made by the perpetrators to confirm his presence at home. Around half an hour later, four men arrived on bikes and allegedly abducted Bhabesh from the premises.

Witnesses saw him being taken to Narabari village, where he was brutally beaten to death. The attackers reportedly sent his unconscious body back to his home in a van. Family members, with the help of locals, rushed Bhabesh to a health complex, from where he was transferred to Dinajpur Medical College Hospital, where on-duty doctors declared him dead upon arrival.

Congress Condemns Attacks On Bangladeshi Hindus

Taking to X, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh wrote, “The Indian Congress strongly condemns the brutal killing of Shri Bhabesh Chandra Roy, a prominent leader of the Hindu community in Dinajpur, Bangladesh. The abduction and assault leading to his tragic death is a chilling reminder of the growing sense of insecurity among religious minorities in the region."

“This is 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 attack on the homes and businesses of minorities. This pattern of intimidation and brutality cannot be ignored," he added.

The Congress urged the Indian government to take up the matter with the highest urgency and prevail upon the interim government in Bangladesh to ensure a swift and transparent investigation and bring the culprits to justice.

The incident took place on the same day India rejected Bangladesh’s statement on the violence in West Bengal during protests over the amended Waqf Bill, advising its eastern neighbour to focus on protecting minorities within its own borders. The Ministry of External Affairs said Bangladesh should stop making “unwarranted comments and indulging in virtue signalling", and safeguard the rights of minorities there.

Last month, a report by the Dhaka-based human rights organisation Ain O Salish Kendra (AsK) revealed a total of 147 incidents involving the vandalism of homes, temples, and business establishments belonging to the Hindu community across Bangladesh.

Dhaka, Bangladesh

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