A pastor and several women worshippers were injured in two separate attacks on Christian prayer gatherings in West Bengal, according to local Christians and witnesses.
The incidents took place on September 19 and 20 in East Midnapore and North 24 Parganas districts. Witnesses alleged that the attackers claimed to be members of the Bajrang Dal and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP).
Mob Attacks Prayer Service in East Midnapore
On September 20, around 50 unidentified men reportedly entered a house church during a Sunday prayer service in the Dekhali Jalpai area of East Midnapore.
Bhagyadhar Jana, who was present at the gathering, said the men shouted slogans before entering the house and allegedly assaulted Pastor Chintamoni Midde and him.
“The men, who were shouting slogans, forcibly entered our house church and started hitting Pastor Chintamoni Midde and me,” Jana told UCA News.
According to Jana, the attackers also abused worshippers and warned them to stop holding church activities. They allegedly threatened the group with consequences if they continued meeting for prayers and told them to leave the area.
Local lawyer Aditya Tewari said police arrived after he contacted them and took the victims to safety.
Tewari said police did not register a formal complaint at the time, reportedly to prevent further tension. Instead, the officer said he would speak with the local legislator and call the alleged attackers for a meeting aimed at resolving the dispute.
Women Attacked in North 24 Parganas
A day earlier, on September 19, another house church in Suryapur village in North 24 Parganas district was allegedly attacked.
The incident took place around 2 pm at the home of Puja Satyaki, where Christians were preparing for a prayer service.
Christian eyewitness Sanjit Sarda alleged that a group carrying iron rods and sticks entered the house and damaged Bibles, hymn books and furniture.
“We were waiting for more families to join our prayer service, but all hell broke loose when the mob went on a rampage, destroying Bibles and hymn books, and ransacking furniture,” Sarda told UCA News.
Sarda alleged that the attackers claimed to be associated with the Bajrang Dal and VHP.
He said women worshippers, including Satyaki, Arpita Sardar and Jhuma Jana, were allegedly beaten and verbally abused.
The victims were taken to Mohanpur police station, where police arranged medical examinations, according to Sarda.
He alleged that a hostile crowd later surrounded the police station, preventing the women from immediately leaving. They were able to return home only after the crowd dispersed.
The women subsequently filed a police complaint, although Sarda said they had not yet received a signed copy of the complaint.
Christian Groups Raise Concern
Herold Mullick, founding secretary of the Bengal Christian Council, said attacks and disruptions at prayer meetings in rural house churches were increasing.
“The Hindu mobs are being emboldened with the government and administration remaining silent spectators,” Mullick told UCA News.
John Dayal, spokesperson for the All India Catholic Union, also expressed concern over the incidents. He said West Bengal risked seeing levels of anti-Christian violence similar to those he associates with states including Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Uttar Pradesh.
Dayal also alleged that the silence of senior political leaders and the Union Home Ministry had created suspicion among Christians about whether authorities were adequately addressing such attacks.
