A Christian organisation in West Bengal has announced a statewide campaign promoting peace and communal harmony after expressing concern over what it described as increasing hate campaigns, misinformation and attacks targeting the Christian community.
Bangiya Christiya Pariseba (BCP) said it would launch a seven-point peaceful programme in response to recent incidents, including alleged vandalism of churches in different parts of the state.
Addressing a press conference in Kolkata, BCP said it would organise 100 regional peace and harmony rallies across West Bengal. The organisation also announced a state-level mega prayer rally on November 5, which is expected to draw around one lakh participants.
The organisation said it also plans to hold 100 roundtable discussions involving writers, artists, teachers and social commentators on the theme, “Unabated Hate Campaigns and Future of Inter-Community Relationships.” The first discussion is scheduled to take place on August 29 at Bishop’s College.
Besides public events, BCP said it would launch a digital awareness campaign aimed at countering what it called false narratives and hate speech. The programme will also include interfaith dialogues and prayer meetings across different regions of the state.
The organisation further announced plans to build a united Christian platform by bringing together community organisations from 11 eastern and north-eastern states, including Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha and Jharkhand.
Church vandalism incidents raise concerns
The announcement comes after a series of alleged attacks on churches in West Bengal.
Among the incidents cited by BCP was the vandalism of an under-construction church in Subhasgram on July 5, where a group allegedly damaged the cross installed on the roof and parts of the structure. Similar incidents were also reported from Barasat and West Midnapore, according to the organisation.
Expressing concern over the incidents, Bishop Paritosh Canning, Moderator of the Church of North India and President of the Bengal Christian Council, urged the West Bengal government to ensure the safety and security of Christian institutions and places of worship.
BCP said its campaign is intended to promote peace, strengthen inter-community relations and encourage dialogue at a time when it believes communal tensions are rising. The organisation maintained that its programmes would remain peaceful and focus on building harmony among different communities.
