CPIM Condemns Killing of Bhabesh Chandra Roy in Bangladesh, Criticizes Interim Government and Warns Against Communal Exploitation in India

 CPIM Condemns Killing of Bhabesh Chandra Roy in Bangladesh, Criticizes Interim Government and Warns Against Communal Exploitation in India

Kolkata: Bhabesh Chandra Roy, a 58-year-old prominent Hindu community leader and vice-president of the Biral unit of the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad, was tragically killed in Dinajpur district, Bangladesh, on April 18, 2025.¹ The incident has drawn strong condemnation from the Communist Party of India (Marxist), with General Secretary Comrade M.A. Baby criticizing the Bangladesh interim government and warning against the communal exploitation of the event in India.

According to reports, Bhabesh Chandra Roy was abducted from his home in Basudebpur village after receiving a suspicious phone call.² Approximately 30 minutes later, four men on two motorcycles forcibly took him away.³ Eyewitnesses stated that Roy was taken to the nearby Narabari village and brutally assaulted.⁴ Later that evening, his unconscious body was returned in a van.⁵ He was rushed to a local health complex and subsequently to Dinajpur Medical College Hospital, where medical professionals pronounced him dead on arrival.⁶ His body has been sent for post-mortem examination.

Community Anguish and Police Action

The death of Bhabesh Chandra Roy, a respected figure within the local Hindu community, has caused widespread outrage and grief.⁸ Police have initiated preparations to file a formal case and have launched efforts to identify and apprehend those responsible for the abduction and killing. Roy's wife, Shantana Roy, has reportedly identified two of the assailants. The incident has significantly heightened existing concerns regarding the safety and security of minority populations across Bangladesh.

CPIM's Strong Condemnation and Criticism of Bangladesh Government

Reacting to the incident , CPIM General Secretary Comrade M.A. Baby issued a statement strongly condemning the killing of Bhabesh Chandra Roy. He expressed deep regret that the interim government in Bangladesh, despite having offered various assurances aimed at protecting minority communities, has reportedly been unable to effectively control "Islamic fundamentalist elements bent upon destroying the social fabric of Bangladesh." Comrade Baby's criticism highlights a perceived failure of the current administration in Bangladesh to adequately safeguard its minority citizens against extremist threats.

Call to Democratic Forces in Bangladesh

Comrade Baby's statement further emphasized the crucial role of democratic forces within Bangladesh in this challenging time. He called upon them to take decisive action to ensure that the rights of all minorities are protected and that "such conspiracies," referring to acts of violence and efforts to sow discord, are "roundly defeated." This underscores the CPIM's belief that a united effort by democratic elements in Bangladesh is essential to counter communalism and uphold inclusive values.

Warning Against Communal Exploitation in India

The CPIM General Secretary also raised concerns about the potential for the tragic incident in Bangladesh to be exploited for political purposes in India. Comrade Baby cautioned the people of India, particularly those in neighboring states, to be vigilant against the efforts of "rightwing Hindutva forces in India who are seeking to exploit these unfortunate incidents in Bangladesh to advance their communal agenda." This warning reflects the CPIM's consistent stance against the use of sensitive events to fuel communal polarization within India.

The killing of Bhabesh Chandra Roy has undeniably cast a spotlight on the precarious situation of minorities in Bangladesh and has become a subject of intense political discussion in India.¹⁰ Comrade M.A. Baby's statement articulates the CPIM's condemnation of the violence, its critique of the Bangladesh government's handling of fundamentalist elements, and its strong opposition to any attempts to use this tragedy for communal gains in India. The incident and its aftermath continue to be closely watched, with calls for justice for the victim and 웨이크닝 concerns about minority safety in the region.