West Bengal has recorded at least 60 incidents targeting Christians since the BJP formed the state government in May 2026, according to a report by India Hate Lab (IHL).
The incidents were documented between May 13 and September 20 across 13 districts. The report includes raids on prayer meetings, homes and churches, harassment of worshippers, physical assaults, vandalism and public humiliation.
IHL recorded 52 raids on Christian gatherings and eight incidents involving physical violence, mob attacks or vandalism. It also documented five public hate speech events targeting Christians, sometimes along with Muslims, and three protests focused on allegations of religious conversion.
Prayer Meetings Raided Over Conversion Allegations
According to IHL, several incidents followed a similar pattern. Members of Hindu nationalist organisations allegedly entered private homes, churches or rented venues where Christians were praying and accused those present of carrying out religious conversions.
In some cases, worshippers were questioned about their religious identity and asked to show Aadhaar cards.
South 24 Parganas and Paschim Medinipur recorded the highest number of raids, with 13 each, according to the report. Organisations named in the report include Hindu Jagaran Manch, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Bajrang Dal, Hindu Suraksha Samiti, Hindu Ekta Manch and Hindu Sanghati.
IHL also cited incidents in Sandeshkhali and Hingalganj where people attending Christian gatherings were questioned about their faith and religious practices.
The report said the change in the state government was sometimes directly mentioned during these confrontations. In Panskura on September 3, VHP and Bajrang Dal members allegedly interrupted a Christian gathering and warned that conversion activities would not be allowed in “New Bengal”.
In Barasat on July 12, members of Hindu Jagaran Manch allegedly told members of a Christian organisation that their activities “would not be tolerated now that BJP is in power.” These are allegations documented by IHL and were not independently verified by the organisation beyond its stated monitoring methodology.
Christian Women Also Targeted
IHL said Christian women were repeatedly targeted over their religious identity and traditional Bengali symbols such as sakha pola and sindoor.
In Ramnagar, Purba Medinipur, on September 5, women were allegedly told to remove their sakha pola and were questioned for referring to Jesus as “Swami”.
A similar incident was reported in Baruipur on July 18, where Christian women carrying Bibles and wearing sakha pola and sindoor were allegedly heckled and called “sold out Hindus” and “bejaat Hindus”.
On September 19 in Barrackpore, IHL reported that VHP and Bajrang Dal members allegedly assaulted and publicly humiliated Christian women while accusing them of facilitating religious conversion.
Reports of Violence and Church Vandalism
Some incidents reportedly escalated into physical violence and vandalism.
IHL documented the alleged vandalism of a church in South 24 Parganas on June 10. On July 5, a church under construction in Subhasgram was reportedly attacked, with crosses damaged.
On August 25 in Howrah, a mob allegedly detained two people accused of facilitating conversion. IHL said the man was stripped and the woman was manhandled while police were present.
The report also documented alleged assaults during prayer meetings in Kolkata and Magrahat, as well as an incident in Barrackpore where Christian women were allegedly tied up and assaulted.
Christian Groups Seek Government Action
The report comes amid separate complaints from Christian organisations in the state.
Bangiya Christiya Pariseba recently submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari alleging 26 cases of persecution against Christians over three months. The group said 11 FIRs had been registered and sought government intervention and protection for churches and Christian communities.
The Indian Express has also reported that Christian groups in several districts suspended house prayers and visits following attacks on prayer gatherings. In one August incident in Uluberia, Howrah, police rescued a pastor and worshippers after a mob allegedly attacked a house prayer meeting.
IHL said the incidents documented in its report increased over the four month period, with five raids recorded within 48 hours on September 19 and 20. It also said many incidents were recorded and shared on Facebook and Instagram by people involved in the confrontations.
The report is part of India Hate Lab’s Early Warning, Early Response initiative and was published by the Center for the Study of Organized Hate.
