A day of violence in BJP’s Bengal: Churches under attack
Dhaka
"As the situation remains tense in the affected areas, the incidents have sparked deep outrage among the Christian community, with rights organizations pointing toward a systematic pattern of intimidation and administrative passivity." (Photo by Pexels)
Violence against religious minorities in India continues, as two churches were gutted and believers assaulted on 20 September in West Bengal, where the radical BJP political party has recently won elections and has been running the state since.
A mob of over 50 unidentified individuals, claiming affiliation with the Bajrang Dal, an armed wing of the RSS, which is the parent organization of the ruling BJP in the Center and several states including West Bengal, surrounded the Dekhali Church and Mission in Dekhali Jalpai under Khejuri Police Station around 12 p.m. while a peaceful Sunday prayer service was underway.
According to reports, the miscreants entered the church premises and launched a physical assault on believers and the pastor, raining blows and kicks. The attackers subjected the gathering to vile, religiously offensive abuse and open threats, demanding an immediate halt to all church activities. They warned believers to vacate the locality. Later, a formal complaint was registered with the local police, though the situation remains tense in the area.
In another incident the same day, a drunk mob of 50-60 armed individuals raided a residence at Billa Depot under Mohanpur Police Station in Barrackpore around
2 p.m., where an afternoon prayer meeting was going on.
Witnesses said the armed mob barged in with iron rods and blunt weapons, and rampaged through the house—tearing up religious books and ransacking household belongings. Female worshippers were severely beaten and verbally abused. The miscreants then forcibly dragged the three women out of the house and turned them over to Mohanpur Police Station.
While the police conducted medical tests and initiated an FIR, officers failed to provide copies of either the FIR or the medical reports to the victims upon their release.
Officials claimed they had conducted medical examinations and would release the victims. A hostile crowd identified as members of the Bajrang Dal laid siege to the police station, creating an intimidating atmosphere and delaying the safe exit of the victims.
As the situation remains tense in the affected areas, the incidents have sparked deep outrage among the Christian community, with rights organizations pointing toward a systematic pattern of intimidation and administrative passivity.
