Christian groups suspend house prayers in parts of West Bengal after attacks

Christian groups in several districts of West Bengal have suspended house prayers and visits following a series of attacks on prayer meetings and Christian gatherings.

The latest incidents include an August 23 attack in Uluberia, Howrah, where a mob entered a house during Sunday prayers, alleging forced conversions, and assaulted members of the congregation.

Pastor Mithun Hazra said around 60 people had gathered for prayers when the mob entered at about 3 pm, beat men and women, and damaged the sound system, podium, furniture and fans. Police rescued the group and took them to hospital.

An FIR has been registered, and an investigation is underway, but no arrests have been made.

Herod Mullick, founder of the Bengal Christian Council, said the Uluberia incident was part of a series of attacks. He said similar incidents were reported during house prayers in Jagatballavpur in Howrah and Hingalganj in North 24 Parganas on August 30.

Other incidents have also been reported.

On August 14, a burial at St Claret Church in Sahanagar, Purba Bardhaman, was disrupted after a group demanded documents for the burial ground. The body was removed from the grave and later buried at another cemetery in Bardhaman town. Police said the deceased was from outside the area and that locals had questioned whether the land was a cemetery or private property. Land records are being checked.

On August 25, a prayer meeting in Ghusuri, Howrah, was disrupted and community members were beaten. The following day, a pastor and his wife were assaulted during a prayer meeting in Check Milepost village in Purba Medinipur. They initially did not file a complaint, citing fear, but a complaint was later sent by email.

Christian groups have also reported the July 5 vandalisation of an under-construction church in Subhasgram, South 24 Parganas.

Right-wing group Singha Bahini denied wrongdoing but said it was protesting forced conversions. The state government said people have the right to practise their religion, while forced conversions would be dealt with according to law.