Christians protest attacks on churches in India's West Bengal

Hundreds of Christians rallied at Esplanade in Kolkata on Thursday to protest mob attacks on churches, prayer meetings and worship centers across West Bengal, Indian media reported.

They called for stronger action against those responsible.

Why are Christians protesting in West Bengal?

Christians in West Bengal are protesting a series of alleged mob attacks on churches, prayer meetings and worship centers.

The Bangiya Christiya Parishad (BCP) organized the Kolkata rally to demand accountability. Participants travelled from Kolkata and neighbouring districts.

How many attacks on churches have been reported?

According to The Hindu, Herod Mullick, the BCP’s state secretary, said at least 48 incidents targeting Christian places of worship and prayer gatherings had been reported in the state since May. Police had registered complaints, known as first information reports (FIRs), in only 15 of them. The All India Christian Council has recorded a higher figure of 65 incidents of violence, harassment and vandalism over the same period.

Mullick said allegations of forced religious conversion were being used to target peaceful Christian gatherings. He called on the authorities to investigate the incidents and hold those responsible to account.

Which attacks on churches have been reported?

Reported incidents include the vandalism of a newly built church in Basanti, in South 24 Parganas district. Priests and a bishop were reportedly injured during its inauguration. A prayer meeting in Harishchandrapur, in Malda district, was also targeted, and an under-construction church in Subhashgram was vandalized in July.

The attacks have raised anxiety in the community ahead of Christmas celebrations in December. Mullick said the BCP was in talks with the administration to address security concerns.

How have officials and church leaders responded?

On Wednesday, Deccan Herald reported, a five-member BCP delegation met Jishnu Basu, the state head of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Mullick said Basu condemned attacks on places of worship and promised to raise the matter with the state’s chief minister.

Senior church leaders and representatives from several northeastern states attended the Kolkata rally. Archbishop Joseph D’Souza, president of the All India Christian Council and the National Federation of Churches, called for unity against religious violence. He said the community would keep pressing for accountability.

A separate demonstration was held in Basanti, where local Christians submitted a memorandum to the block development office seeking action against those involved in the church attack.