Report documents 60 attacks and disruptions targeting Christians across 13 West Bengal districts

Allegations have surfaced of attacks on the Christian community in various districts of India's West Bengal, along with disruptions of prayer meetings and vandalism at religious institutions. The incidents are said to have centred on allegations of religious conversion.

Since a change of political power in the state last May, those concerned have voiced anxiety about the safety and religious rights of religious minorities.

An observation report published on 22 September by India Hate Lab said that between 13 May and 20 September, at least 60 incidents targeting the Christian community were documented across 13 districts of West Bengal.

According to the report, 52 of the incidents involved alleged attacks on or obstruction of prayer meetings, private homes, churches and religious gatherings. The remaining eight incidents involved reports of physical abuse and property vandalism.

Local Christian families in Harishchandrapur, Malda, have expressed concern about the situation. Resident Shuvendu Biswas said Bengali Christian families in Malda had never faced such a situation before, and that they now fear even practising their own religious rituals.

Tension recently spread in the area over allegations of attempted conversions in exchange for money. Members of the Bajrang Dal and Hindu Jagaran Mancha raised the allegations. However, several local families claim they adopted Christianity of their own free will.

Malda's police superintendent said a disturbance had taken place in the area over a prayer meeting, and that the matter is under investigation.

In Paschim Arjunda village of Panskura, East Medinipur, allegations of obstruction of a prayer meeting have also been raised. Local residents Asim Maity and Haldhar Panda expressed concern about the situation.

Meanwhile, in Chandrakona, West Medinipur, a Christian woman was allegedly beaten and forced to perform religious rituals in the name of purification. An FIR has been filed against 13 people in connection with the incident.

Herod Mallick, founder of the Banga Christian Council, alleged that the administration's effective steps in response to the attacks on the Christian community are not sufficient.

The BJP, however, has denied the allegations. Party spokesperson Debjit Sarkar said the government maintains a zero-tolerance policy against wrongdoing, and that matters concerning conversion allegations would also be dealt with through legal channels.