Sat Apr 19 08:34:19 UTC 2025: ## India Condemns Murder of Hindu Leader in Bangladesh, Rejects Dhaka’s Criticism
**DHAKA/NEW DELHI, April 19, 2025** – The murder of a prominent Hindu community leader in Bangladesh has sparked outrage in India and renewed tensions between the two nations. Bhabesh Chandra Roy, 58, vice-president of the Biral unit of the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad, was abducted from his home in Dinajpur district and brutally beaten to death on April 18th. His body was discovered the following night.
Police in Bangladesh have launched an investigation and are working to identify and arrest the suspects. However, the incident has fueled concerns about the rising insecurity faced by religious minorities in Bangladesh.
India’s External Affairs Ministry spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, strongly condemned the killing and rejected recent comments from Bangladeshi officials regarding violence in West Bengal. Jaiswal described Dhaka’s criticism as a “barely disguised and disingenuous attempt” to deflect attention from the persecution of minorities within Bangladesh.
The Indian National Congress echoed these sentiments, issuing a statement strongly condemning Roy’s murder and calling for immediate diplomatic action to ensure justice. Congress MP Jairam Ramesh highlighted a pattern of violence against minorities in Bangladesh, including temple desecrations and targeted attacks. He urged the Indian government to actively protect the rights of religious minorities in Bangladesh.
The post-mortem of Mr. Roy has been completed, police confirmed. The incident continues to generate significant tension between India and Bangladesh, highlighting the ongoing challenges related to religious freedom and minority rights in the region.
First Piper 