A Protestant pastor was allegedly assaulted at his home in Purba Bardhaman, West Bengal, by a mob of around 25 people who accused him of carrying out religious conversions.
The incident took place on August 18 in Satgachia, where the group allegedly barged into the residence of 55-year-old Pastor Joy Sutradhar and assaulted him. According to local Christian leaders, the attackers also ordered Sutradhar and his family to leave the house, warning them of consequences if they refused.
Some members of the group allegedly threatened Sutradhar’s daughter after she recorded the incident on her mobile phone, demanding that she delete the footage.
Christian leaders condemned the attack, describing it as an assault on religious freedom. Herod Mullick, founder secretary of the Bangiya Christiya Pariseba (Bengal Christian Council), said the pastor had been serving the local community for around two decades.
“This is an unprovoked, brutal assault on a pastor who has been serving his people for the past 20 years,” Mullick told UCA News.
The organisation’s legal cell has filed a criminal complaint on Sutradhar’s behalf. According to Mullick, no arrests had been made in connection with the alleged assault.
Father Dominic Gomes, Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Calcutta, expressed concern over the attack and the intimidation faced by the pastor’s family.
“Every citizen has the right to live with dignity, security and freedom of faith. No person or group has the right to take the law into its own hands or target anyone because of their religious identity or ministry,” Gomes said.
He urged the police and civil administration to provide immediate protection to Sutradhar and his family and conduct a prompt and impartial investigation.
Senior journalist and All India Catholic Union spokesperson John Dayal said the incident reflected growing concerns over the safety of Christians in the state.
He alleged that the political climate following the BJP’s victory in the West Bengal Assembly elections had contributed to increased religious polarisation and called on the government to take steps to protect religious minorities.
The allegations of conversion against Sutradhar have not been independently established.
