Bangladesh Violence: Hindu Leader Abducted and Beaten to Death in Bangladesh’s Dinajpur; India Reacts Sharply

Tension has gripped Bangladesh’s Dinajpur district after a prominent Hindu community leader, Bhabesh Chandra Roy, was allegedly abducted from his home and beaten to death by unidentified assailants. The incident has sparked outrage among the minority Hindu population in the region and triggered a diplomatic reaction from India.

Abduction in Broad Daylight

Roy, 58, a respected leader of the Hindu community and vice-president of the Biral unit of the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad, was reportedly taken from his home in Basudebpur village on Thursday afternoon. His wife, Shantana Roy, revealed that Bhabesh had received a phone call around 4:30 pm — suspected to have been made by the perpetrators to confirm his presence.

Just thirty minutes later, four men on two motorcycles arrived and forcibly took him away, allegedly to Narabari village. According to initial reports, Roy was brutally assaulted and left unconscious. He was later brought back to his home in a critical state. His family rushed him to a local hospital in Dinajpur, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.

Police Investigation Underway

Law enforcement agencies have initiated an investigation, with local police confirming that preparations are being made to file a formal case. Authorities are also trying to identify and arrest the attackers. However, the absence of immediate arrests or concrete leads has sparked concerns among local residents, particularly the Hindu community, who feel increasingly unsafe.

Biral Police Station has assured that the case is being taken seriously, and surveillance is being intensified in nearby areas.

Community in Grief and Fear

Roy was not only a key religious figure but also a known advocate for interfaith harmony in the district. His sudden and violent death has sent shockwaves through the local community, which is now demanding swift justice and enhanced protection for minorities in the region.

Many have also pointed out a disturbing pattern of increasing attacks on minority leaders and religious figures in recent years, often carried out with impunity.

India's Diplomatic Response

Reacting strongly, India has rejected recent remarks made by Bangladeshi officials about incidents of violence in West Bengal and turned the spotlight back on Bangladesh's internal issues.

“This is a barely disguised and disingenuous attempt to draw a parallel with India’s concerns over the ongoing persecution of minorities in Bangladesh, where the criminal perpetrators of such acts continue to roam free,” said Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for India’s External Affairs Ministry.

He further urged the Bangladeshi government to focus on protecting its minorities rather than indulging in “virtue signalling”.

A Deeper Concern

Roy’s death is not just a tragedy for his family — it also raises serious questions about the safety and dignity of minorities in Bangladesh. While political blame games continue, human rights activists argue that unless systemic changes are made and the rule of law is enforced equally, such crimes will continue to erode social harmony and cross-border relations.

As of now, Roy's last rites are being prepared by his grief-stricken family, while his community demands that justice be delivered — not only in name, but in action.