A Christian prayer meeting in the Nerodighi area of Bardhaman district’s Rayan-I Gram Panchayat was allegedly disrupted and vandalised on Sunday, September 27, following accusations of religious conversion.
Organisers and worshippers alleged that BJP and Bajrang Dal activists entered the prayer venue, assaulted participants and damaged or took away electronic equipment and other belongings. The allegations have been denied by the BJP and Bajrang Dal, which said they had gone to the venue to protest what they described as alleged religious conversion activities.
Prayer Meeting Disrupted
According to worshippers, the incident took place on the afternoon of September 27 at Lok Gopal Bhavan in the Nerodighi area, where a prayer meeting was underway.
They alleged that a group of Hindutva activists entered the venue while raising slogans of “Jai Shri Ram” and disrupted the gathering. Worshippers claimed that the venue was vandalised and several people were physically assaulted during the confrontation.
They also alleged that some women were subjected to humiliating treatment, including being forced to perform sit-ups while holding their ears.
Ritam De, Sangeeta Das and Chandra Sau, who attended the prayer meeting, alleged that the attackers accused them of involvement in religious conversion before assaulting those present.
According to them, the group entered the prayer meeting while it was in progress, damaged property and allegedly forced worshippers out onto the street. They also alleged that some women were physically assaulted.
Complaint Filed at Burdwan Police Station
Following the incident, Ritam De reportedly submitted a written complaint at Burdwan police station on behalf of Ankur Narula Ministries.
According to the complaint, individuals allegedly associated with the BJP and Bajrang Dal from the Dewandighi area entered the prayer meeting and created a disturbance. The complainants alleged that when they objected, they were assaulted.
Police have reportedly begun investigating the complaint.
Speaking to the media, De claimed that the attackers accused the organisers of receiving financial assistance from abroad and engaging in religious conversion activities.
He said the group threatened them with consequences if they continued conducting the prayer meetings, alleging that attempts were being made to prevent them from practising their religion on the basis of what he described as false accusations.
Bajrang Dal Denies Assault Allegations
The Bajrang Dal rejected the allegations of unlawful assault and defended its presence at the location.
Bajrang Dal member Indranil Sai claimed that organisers were exploiting the economic difficulties of poor residents by offering financial inducements in the name of Christian prayers and attempting to convert people from the Sanatan Hindu faith.
He said members of the organisation went to the location after receiving information about the alleged conversion activities and protested against them.
The claims of religious conversion and financial inducements were not independently established.
BJP Says Law Should Take Its Course
The BJP also denied supporting any assault or vandalism at the prayer venue.
BJP district spokesperson Shantaroop De told local media that the party did not support such incidents and maintained that any allegation of unlawful activity should be dealt with through the police and the legal system.
“If there is any complaint, there is the police and the law. No one can take the law into their own hands,” De said.
He added that entering a place of worship and attacking people would not be justified.
The allegations made by the worshippers and the counterclaims regarding religious conversion remain disputed, while the police investigation is reportedly underway.
