Christian leaders in West Bengal raise alarm over attacks on churches and believers, citing vandalism, harassment and false conversion claims.
Newsroom (09/07/2026 Gaudium Press ) A Christian organization in India’s eastern state of West Bengal has expressed serious concern over a string of attacks targeting Christians, churches, and community institutions, warning that the incidents may signal a troubling rise in religious hostility in a region long known for communal coexistence.
The Bangiya Christiya Pariseba (BCP), or Bengal Christian Council, says multiple incidents reported across different districts during the first week of July have created fear among the state’s small Christian population and raised questions about the protection of religious minorities.
“We are deeply concerned over what appear to be systematic attacks on our churches, institutions, and community members,” said Herod Mullick, a founding member of the BCP, speaking on July 9.
Allegations of a Coordinated Pattern
Mullick argued that the attacks reflect a broader pattern in which Christians are targeted and subsequently face allegations of forced religious conversion.
“Christians are being attacked first and then false cases alleging forced religious conversion are being filed against them,” he said.
According to Mullick, social media has also played a role in escalating tensions. He alleged that videos containing provocative messages are being circulated online in an effort to influence public opinion against Christians and portray victims as offenders.
The concerns come shortly after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, came to power in West Bengal following the state elections in May.
Community Shocked by Unprecedented Incidents
A senior church leader, who requested anonymity, described the recent events as deeply unsettling for many Christians in the state.
“People in West Bengal have traditionally lived together with mutual respect for different faiths,” the church leader said. “Political differences have always existed, but we never witnessed this kind of religious hostility in the past.”
The remarks reflect wider concerns among Christian leaders that the recent incidents represent a departure from the state’s long-standing tradition of religious pluralism and social harmony.
Wedding Celebration Disrupted in Paschim Medinipur
One of the most significant incidents occurred on July 4 in the Palbari area of Paschim Medinipur district, where a thanksgiving prayer service and reception for a newly married couple was allegedly disrupted by a Hindu nationalist group.
According to the BCP, women attending the event—including both Christians and Hindus—were subjected to harassment. The organization further alleged that some married women had traditional symbols associated with their marital status forcibly removed during the disruption.
The council claimed that police officers were present during the incident but failed to intervene effectively. Instead, it alleged, authorities detained the church’s pastor, Anup Ghosh, based on what the organization described as baseless accusations.
Grace Church Reports Vandalism and Looting
Another major incident was reported on July 5 at Grace Church in Faridpur Colony under the Katwa subdivision of Purba Bardhaman district.
Church leaders said an armed mob attacked the church while Sunday worship services were underway. According to their account, the attackers vandalized the worship hall, damaged residential facilities connected to the church, and looted valuables.
Among the items reportedly stolen were cash, mobile phones, trophies, and important documents.
Church representatives further stated that the congregation had received an extortion demand for 200,000 rupees (approximately US$2,095) one day before the attack. They said local police had been informed about the threat but failed to take preventive action.
Newly Built Church Damaged in South 24 Parganas
On the same day, another attack was reported in the Buri Bot Tala area of South 24 Parganas district.
According to the BCP, unidentified individuals vandalized a newly constructed church building. The attackers allegedly demolished the cross mounted on the church roof and damaged the structure’s entrance.
The incident added to growing concerns among Christian leaders that churches and religious symbols are increasingly becoming targets of hostility.
Planned Protest in Kolkata
In response to the incidents, the BCP has announced plans for a peaceful demonstration in Kolkata on July 14.
The organization said the protest aims to draw attention to attacks on Christians and call for stronger protection of religious freedom and minority rights.
Beyond the planned demonstration, the council has appealed to church leaders, civil society organizations, and citizens throughout West Bengal to unite in defense of communal harmony and the secular principles enshrined in India’s Constitution.
A Small Minority Seeking Security
Christians constitute less than 1 percent of West Bengal’s population of approximately 90 million people. The state’s population is predominantly Hindu, accounting for about 70 percent, while Muslims make up roughly 27 percent.
Against this demographic backdrop, Christian leaders say the recent attacks have intensified concerns about the safety and security of a community that already represents a small minority.
As church organizations prepare to take their concerns to the streets of Kolkata, they are calling not only for accountability in the reported attacks but also for renewed efforts to preserve the interfaith respect and coexistence that many residents say have long defined West Bengal’s social fabric.
- Raju Hasmukh with files form UCA News
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