Series of attacks on Christians reported in West Bengal during August

Kolkata: A string of incidents targeting Christians was reported across West Bengal in August, including the disruption of a funeral, assaults on pastors and worshippers, and allegations of forced religious conversion.

The first major incident took place on 14 August at St Claret Church in Sahanagar, Purba Bardhaman district, where a group interrupted a burial and demanded documents for the cemetery. Parish priest Father Samuel Hembrom said the coffin, which had been lowered into the grave, was pulled out by the mob and the body was later taken to another cemetery in Bardhaman town. Purba Bardhaman Superintendent of Police Pushpa described the episode as a “confusion” arising from the deceased being from outside the area, and said land records were being checked.

Between 23 and 30 August, several further cases were reported in Howrah and North 24 Parganas districts. On 23 August, a mob entered a house in Uluberia, Howrah, during Sunday prayers, alleging “forced conversions”, and assaulted about 60 people while damaging furniture and other items. Pastor Mithun Hazra said prayer meetings had been suspended since the attack. Police rescued the group and took some to hospital; an FIR was registered and an investigation was underway, but no arrests had been made, according to reports.

Two days later, another prayer meeting at the Church of the Grace in Ghusuri, Howrah, was disrupted by a group that later questioned church representatives about the institution and its funds when they tried to file a complaint, Father Suraj Saroj recalled. On 26 August, Pastor Joy Sutradhar and his wife were attacked in Satgachia, Purba Bardhaman, by a far-right leader who accused the couple of luring poor people into Christianity; the pastor said he initially feared filing a complaint and later submitted it via email. On 30 August, supporters of Hindutva groups entered houses in Jagatballavpur, Howrah, and Hingalganj, North 24 Parganas, on similar allegations.

Trinamool Congress spokesperson Pradeepta Mukherjee accused the BJP of indulging in a “politics of fear”, alleging that the party was increasingly portraying Muslims as foreigners and targeting members of the Christian community. The BJP and state ministers have denied the charges, pointing to investigations into alleged illegal conversions and unauthorised constructions.