A series of attacks against persons, acts of vandalism, and intimidation targeting the Christian minority across the eastern Indian state of West Bengal in the past week has sparked widespread concern.
Church leaders and community representatives are urging state authorities to ensure protection for vulnerable communities and guarantee impartial investigations into the incidents.
The incidents began July 5 and included the targeted destruction of an under-construction church, an assault on a congregation during Sunday service, and the harassment of a Christian widow.
The destroyed church belonged to the Presbyterian Church of India. Reports say the site was brutally vandalised by a mob.
Eugene Gonsalves, former National President of the All India Catholic Union (AICU) and former President of the Catholic Association of Bengal (CAB), told Crux Now the incidents were “deeply disturbing” and called for prompt action by the state authorities.
He said such incidents were unacceptable in a society governed by the Constitution of India and condemned all forms of targeted violence and intimidation against any religious community.
Stressing that India’s strength lies in its diversity, he said the Constitution guarantees every citizen the freedom to profess and practice their faith.
According to a report in The Indian Express, a mob vandalised the under-construction church, located in a neighborhood where a small community of Christian families reside, within the Subhasgram area of Sonarpur.
The report detailed that vandals broke down the church’s door, damaged two recently erected pillars, and destroyed three crosses installed atop the building after climbing onto its tin roof.
The mob allegedly also threatened the congregation.
The Indian Express also reported allegations from community members, who said the vandals identified themselves as part of the right-wing Hindu Jagran Manch, which tries to convert Muslims and Christians to Hinduism.
In separate incidents reported by siasat.com, a Christian widow was intimidated in Murshidabad, a prayer meeting was disrupted in Bankura, and a congregation in Faridpur was assaulted.
In tandem with demanding state protection, the spokesman for West Bengal’s Bangiyo Christiyo Pariseba (BCP) Christian advocacy organisation urgently appealed to clergy and Christian leaders across the state, calling for vigilance and internal purification.
In a statement issued on July 10, the BCP leadership cautioned that “certain unscrupulous individuals are establishing pseudo-churches under the guise of Christianity solely to exploit faith for personal enrichment and commercial trade.”
