Since BJP victory, Bengal’s Christians have faced at least 35 attacks, disruptions of prayer service

In the hinterland of Bengal, mostly hidden from the attention of the mainstream media, Hindutva outfits are mounting a sustained assault against small Christian communities.

Since the Bharatiya Janata Party assumed power in West Bengal in May, these minority communities have faced rising hostility. Hindutva outfits and fringe groups have attacked community members, disrupted church services and vandalised churches, frequently alleging forced conversion or proselytisation as justification for the harassment and violence.

The police have registered FIRs in several of these incidents, but no action has been taken against the perpetrators. Instead, victims are being taken to police stations, said Herod Mullick, founder of the Bangiya Christiya Pariseba or Bengal Christian Council.

“Over the past two-and-a-half to three months, such incidents have increased across districts, following a similar pattern,” Mullick told Alt News. “We have repeatedly sought a meeting with the chief minister, demanding an impartial investigation. But the government is not paying heed. So many people are being beaten, crosses are being broken, and someone or the other is being subjected to harassment every other day. The chief minister has not said a single word. We are all frightened and anxious.”

Asked about the allegations of forced conversion, he said, “Conversion does not happen by simply gathering people and...

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