Attacks on churches escalate under BJP rule in West Bengal
Christian community halts prayer meetings due to fear.
Since the formation of the BJP government in West Bengal, the Christian community has been in fear due to continuous attacks on churches and assaults on priests. Due to this fear, many Christian organizations in several districts have temporarily halted prayer meetings and religious events held in homes. This decision was made following the ongoing attacks on prayer gatherings. About a week ago, a similar incident occurred in Uluberia, Howrah, where the police had to rescue the pastor and those participating in the prayer.
Additionally, there have been incidents of preventing a burial in Purba Bardhaman and vandalism at an under-construction church in Subhash Gram, South 24 Parganas, on July 5. A video that went viral on social media shows a mob entering a house in Uluberia on August 23, where Sunday prayers were being held. Accusing the attendees of forced conversions, the mob assaulted people and vandalized the house.
Pastor Mithun Hazra told Indian Express that,
“Like every Sunday, a house was rented for the prayer meeting that day, where about 60 women and men were present. The prayer started around 11 AM. At around 3 PM, a shouting mob entered. They assaulted me and others. They vandalized the house, damaging the sound system, podium, tables, chairs, and fans. Both women and men were beaten.”
According to the pastor,
“After receiving treatment, we went to the police station and filed a complaint. Since that incident, prayer meetings have not been held in homes in the area.”
“Do we not have the right to love Jesus in this country?” This question was raised by a Christian resident of Ghushipara in Ward No. 24 of Barrackpore. On August 11, a mob entered the homes of Christian families, disrupting private prayer meetings and assaulting local residents.
The Quint reported that,
“The prayer meeting held that evening was not one that could raise any suspicion of religious mobilization. It was conducted inside a Christian family's home in memory of a deceased person. There was neither a microphone nor any public event, nor a large crowd. Nevertheless, around 7 PM, some non-Christian locals arrived in the neighborhood and began accusing Christians of conversion.”
Recalling the attack, Father Paul said,
“I was afraid I could be attacked, so I immediately got into my car and left.”
The prayer meeting was halted. After that, the mob reached the homes of Christians living in the neighborhood. It is reported that only five Christian families reside in this area. Locals allege that some of them were assaulted. A Christian ASHA worker was threatened with job loss, while Christian Toto or e-rickshaw drivers were told they would no longer be allowed to work.
“This incident was also broadcast live on Facebook. The attackers tagged BJP MLA Kaustav Bagchi in it.”
A woman, speaking on the condition of anonymity, stated that the attackers objected to Christians saying “Hallelujah” and “Praise Jesus.” The woman alleged that she was threatened with job termination. However, no official action has been taken against her so far. They told us, “Do not call anyone from outside here.”
Another Christian youth, around 20 years old, alleged that,
“He was slapped and forced to chant slogans related to Hindu deities. Meanwhile, a man over 40 years old said that this incident not only instilled fear of physical violence in them but made them feel as if the rules of everyday life in their neighborhood had suddenly changed.”
“BJP people say that we changed our religion for money. Who gave us money, and if they did, where is that money? Even today, we have to work hard for our livelihood. We are Christians because we love and follow Jesus Christ. It is our legal right.”
The individual mentioned that his family converted to Christianity 11 years ago, although they had been attending church before that. He said,
“We worked here during the CPI(M) government and later under the Trinamool Congress government. No one treated us this way before. This is the first time it has happened.”
Cases related to allegations of “forced conversions” against Christians in West Bengal are continuously increasing. There have been instances of disrupting prayer meetings, attacking churches, and personally threatening worshippers following these allegations.
Members of the Christian community in Barrackpore believe that the incidents seen in other BJP-ruled states are now being repeated in West Bengal.
Amit Verma, the Superintendent of Police of Howrah Rural, confirmed the receipt of complaints. He said,
“An FIR has been registered, and the investigation is ongoing.” However, no arrests have been made in this case so far.
Herod Malik, founder of the Bangiya Christian Parishad, stated that the incident in Uluberia is not an isolated case. He said, “There have been several such incidents in recent days. The victims are scared, and we are providing them with legal assistance.”
On August 25, an attack was reported on a prayer meeting taking place in a house in the Ghusuri area of Howrah. Father Suraj Saroj of the Church of the Grace said, “Members of the community were beaten, and some were injured. I tried to reason with the mob, but they were not willing to listen. Saroj alleged that the police kept them at the station for hours, questioning them about the church, its donations, and documents.
Kshudiram Tudu, the Minister for Tribal Development and Minority Affairs in West Bengal, stated,
“Praying is a personal religious choice, and our government does not believe in interfering in anyone's personal faith. However, if conversions are being carried out forcibly, not consensually, action will be taken according to the law. Everyone has the right to file a complaint.”
Mohammad Salim, the state secretary of the CPI(M), said,
“Such incidents have also occurred in other BJP-ruled states. Every individual has the right to practice their religion, and we will fight to protect this right in Bengal.”
Trinamool Congress spokesperson Pradipta Mukherjee accused the BJP of practicing “politics of fear.” He said,
“Now their job has become to label Muslims as foreigners and attack the homes of the Christian community.”
BJP Rajya Sabha MP Rahul Sinha stated, “I do not want to comment on this matter. I am not aware of any such incident.”
It is noteworthy that shortly after the results of the West Bengal Assembly elections were declared, on May 6, 25 to 30 BJP workers vandalized the home of Christian widow Barnali Chatterjee near the Mukti Dham Church in Murshidabad. According to the FIR registered in this case, activist Chandran Das and a group of BJP workers forcibly entered her home. They allegedly vandalized the house and threatened Barnali regarding the worship of Jesus and conducting prayer meetings. The accused also demanded that Barnali hand over her house so that it could be converted into a Hindu temple.
On June 21, members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal disrupted a Sunday prayer meeting, alleging forced conversions in Raniganj, Purba Bardhaman.
On July 5, a mob entered an under-construction church in Subhashgram, South 24 Parganas. The attackers broke windows, damaged the prayer area and musical instruments, and brought down the cross installed on the roof.
It was reported that the attackers were chanting “Jai Shri Ram” and other slogans associated with Hindutva. On the same day, a similar attack allegedly took place at Grace Church in Faridpur, Purba Bardhaman during Sunday prayers.
A prayer meeting organized under the leadership of Pastor Rajib Das in Bankura was reportedly disrupted. Copies of the Bible were seized, and devotees, including women and children, were detained for some time. Later, all were released without any charges.