Christians demand end to persecution in India’s West Bengal
Bijay Kumar Minj - November 2026
At least 48 cases of attacks against Christians have been recorded in the state since May, rights forum says.
About 12,000 Christians joined a prayer and protest rally in the eastern Indian state of West Bengal on Nov. 5, demanding protection of religious freedom and an end to ongoing anti-Christian violence.
The event organized by inter-denominational group, Bangiya Christiya Pariseba (BCP or Bengal Christian Council), in the state capital Kolkata, drew over 12,000 Christians, more than double originally expected, according to the council’s founding secretary, Herod Mullick.
“We had permission to hold a rally for 5,000 people, but more than 12,000 turned up,” Mullick said.
Christians came from all over West Bengal and other states, including Odisha, Nagaland, and Mizoram, he added.
He said the large turnout reflected widespread concerns among Christians over a series of anti-Christian violence, often on allegations of religious conversion, in the state.
“Christians in the state are in an unprecedented crisis,” Mullick said.
Since the Hindu-theocratic Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power in the state for the first time in May this year, a total of 48 incidents of attacks against Christians have been recorded, according to data compiled by the BCP.
Mullick said police had registered only 16 first information reports — which formally open a criminal case in India — in connection with the incidents.
Christian leaders accused authorities of failing to adequately protect worshippers and respond to complaints of violence and intimidation.
They also rejected allegations of forced religious conversion, saying such accusations were being used to target Christian prayer meetings.
He said the organization had urged the state government to investigate allegations of forced conversion and take action against any unlawful activities, while ensuring that Christians could worship without fear.
Pastor Jose Bernard said the large turnout reflected the community’s growing distress.
“The large number of people who turned up shows that the Christian community in the state is sad and unhappy about the continued attacks on Christians over the last four to five months,” Bernard said.
“We hope the government takes note of the rally and acts accordingly. Christians in the state are peace-loving people and have good relations with people of other faiths,” he added.
The protest came amid reports of attacks on Christian gatherings in several districts, including East Bardhaman, South 24 Parganas, Howrah, Nadia and West Midnapore.
Christian leaders said small house churches and informal prayer meetings were particularly vulnerable to accusations of religious conversion, leaving worshippers fearful of further attacks.
Some participants also shared accounts of alleged violence and intimidation.
Panchugopal Mandal, a Christian from Balichak in West Midnapore district, alleged that people attacked his house during his mother’s burial ceremony on Sept. 30. He accused local authorities of failing to respond adequately to his complaints.
The Kolkata rally followed a people’s tribunal on Nov. 2, where Christians from several districts testified about alleged attacks, intimidation and police inaction.
Organizers said they planned to compile the testimonies into a report for the state and central governments.
Mullick also said he met Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS or National Volunteers’ Corps) local leader Jishnu Basu on Nov. 4 to discuss concerns over attacks on Christians and allegations of religious conversion.
RSS is an umbrella group of right-wing Hindu groups in India and the ideological parent of the BJP, which has been ruling the federal government since 2014.
Mullick described the meeting as fruitful and said Basu had assured the delegation that he would raise the concerns with West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. (Courtesy: ucanews)
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