15 anti-Christian attacks reported in BJP-ruled West Bengal in past two months
Kolkata: Since the BJP government came to power in West Bengal, a series of attacks and incidents targeting Christians have been reported across the state.
Churches have been vandalised, prayer meetings disrupted, and pastors and worshippers assaulted, while a Christian burial was reportedly interrupted.
The incidents, occurring amid growing intimidation and hostility towards the Christian community, have raised concerns over the safety of religious minorities and their freedom to worship and practise their faith in India under the BJP government.
According to a review of contemporary media reports and Christian persecution-monitoring organisations, at least 15 anti-Christian incidents were reported across West Bengal during July and August 2026.The incidents were reported from several districts, including South 24 Parganas, Purba Bardhaman, Paschim Medinipur, Bankura, North 24 Parganas, Howrah and Purba Medinipur.
July 4
The first reported incident occurred on July 4 at Palbari in Paschim Medinipur, where a private thanksgiving prayer service and reception for a newlywed Christian couple was allegedly disrupted. According to the Bangiyo Christiyo Pariseba (BCP), a group described by the organisation as extremists disrupted the gathering.Women attending the function, including both Christian and Hindu women, were harassed.
The BCP said that traditional marital symbols, including shakha-pola and sindoor, were forcibly wiped off or damaged. The organisation further said that police did not restrain the people responsible for the disruption and instead detained Rev. Anup Ghosh, the pastor associated with the gathering.
July 5
Four separate incidents were reported in West Bengal, making it one of the most significant days in the two-month period under review.An under-construction Presbyterian church was allegedly vandalised by a Hindu mob at Buri Bot Tala, Subhasgram, South 24 Parganas.
According to reports, approximately 100 people gathered at the site while painting work was underway. The mob broke the church door, damaged pillars and locks, and entered the building. Inside, the altar and musical instruments were reportedly damaged. Three crosses on the roof were allegedly pulled down. Some residents said that members of the Hindu Jagran Manch were among those involved. Slogans including “Jai Shri Ram” were reportedly raised, while the attackers allegedly accused the church of involvement in religious conversion.
The same day, during Sunday worship, an incident was reported at Grace Church in Faridpur, Purba Bardhaman, when a Hindu mob entered the church during the service and attacked Pastor Surajit Ghosh and members of the congregation.
On the same day, Christian widow Barnali Chatterjee was reportedly attacked and her belongings were damaged by a Hindu mob at her home in Murshidabad.
According to Christian organisations, those involved in the attack pressured her to abandon Christianity and surrender her property, which they reportedly wanted to use for a Hindu religious structure.
Another incident: a Christian prayer meeting was disrupted in Bankura by Hindu members who entered the gathering, seized Bibles and detained worshippers, including women and children, for several hours.
July 12
An incident was reported from Barasat in North 24 Parganas, involving the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, commonly known as the Salesian Sisters. According to the sisters and Catholic organisations, approximately 60 people entered their property and demanded that a memorial chapel and cemetery under construction be demolished. The Hindu group threatened violence if the demand was not met. The sisters reportedly said that they were verbally intimidated and insulted.
July 26
A Christian prayer gathering was attacked by Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) at a private residence in Chararoypur Majer Para village, South 24 Parganas.The attackers: destroyed Bibles and hymn books; damaged other religious materials; physically assaulted worshippers; and marked parts of the house with saffron-coloured paint.
July 31
An incident was reported on July 31 in Sandeshkhali, involving a man wearing saffron robes who identified himself as a VHP official, and the pastor of Grace Community Church at Sandeshkhali. August saw another series of reported incidents, with a marked concentration during the final two weeks of the month.
One of the most contentious incidents occurred on August 14 during the burial of a Christian woman associated with St Claret Church at Sahanagar in Purba Bardhaman, when a group forced the removal of the body from the grave.
On August 23, a Sunday prayer meeting in a rented house with about 60 men and women worshippers was attacked by a group shouting Hindutva slogans at Uluberia in Howrah. The premises were also reportedly vandalised. The items damaged included: the sound system, podium, tables, chairs, and ceiling fans.Two days later, on August 25, worshippers were beaten at a private residence associated with the Church of the Grace in the Ghusuri area of Howrah.
On August 26, Pastor Joy Sutradhar and his wife were beaten and assaulted by members of the group in Check Milepost, Purba Medinipur.On August 30, prayer meetings were attacked at Jagatballavpur in Howrah and Hingalganj in North 24 Parganas.
The reported incidents in West Bengal during July and August 2026 indicate a period of heightened tension surrounding Christian worship and religious activity in several districts of the BJP-ruled state.Christian organisations have described the incidents as part of a wider pattern of hostility and intimidation against Christians in West Bengal.
