Christian prayer gathering attacked, worshippers jailed in BJP-ruled West Bengal
Kolkata : Six Christians have been jailed in BJP-ruled West Bengal state of India after a Hindutva mob stormed a prayer gathering at a private home, assaulted worshippers and accused them of carrying out religious conversions.
According to Kashmir Media Service, four women were sent to judicial custody and two men to police custody following the August 16 attack in Medinipur district.
The Christians had gathered at the home of Asit Murmu in Dharma Rohilla village for Sunday prayers. Murmu said the gathering was voluntary and had been organized to give thanks following the recovery of a family member from illness.
The prayer service was disrupted when a group of Hindus entered the house, damaged furniture and other belongings and accused those present of conducting illegal conversions.
Sagar Palmal, a high school student who witnessed the incident, said the group barged into the house and began breaking furniture and attacking worshippers. His mother was among the Christians later jailed.
Christian leaders said women and children were also caught up in the violence. Victor Behera, state coordinator of the ecumenical Bengal Christian Council, said the attackers did not spare women who were holding young children during the prayer gathering.
Herod Mullick, founder secretary of the council, said worshippers, including women and children, were subjected to physical abuse for about three hours.
Police were called by the attackers following the disruption. Officers subsequently detained 16 women, some accompanied by their children, and four men from the Christian gathering. Six were later jailed as authorities pursued allegations of unlawful religious conversion.
The arrests have intensified concern among Christian groups over a pattern in India in which Hindu extremist organizations accuse prayer meetings and other ordinary Christian religious activities of being fronts for conversion, leading to police action against worshippers even when Christians report intimidation or violence.
Father Dominic Gomes, chancellor of the Archdiocese of Calcutta, said similar incidents reported from other parts of West Bengal pointed to growing lawlessness.
John Dayal, spokesperson for the All India Catholic Union, said Hindu mobs have become emboldened following the BJP’s rise to power in West Bengal.
“The state’s silence is complicity,” Dayal said, warning that the response raised serious concerns over the safety of Christians.
Christian organizations across India have repeatedly warned of growing attacks on churches, prayer gatherings and pastors amid the increasing influence of Hindutva groups.
