A Protestant pastor was allegedly taken away by a group of people during a Sunday prayer service in West Bengal, while a separate Presbyterian house church was vandalised by a large crowd in another part of the state on the same day.
The incidents took place on 6 September in West Medinipur and East Medinipur districts, respectively, amid continuing concerns from Christian organisations about disruptions to prayer meetings and other religious gatherings in the state.
At about 11am in Nandapurya village in West Medinipur, around 25 people allegedly entered a Christian home where Pastor Sukhendu Singh was leading a prayer service attended by Christians from eight families in neighbouring villages.
Purna Hembram, a Christian eyewitness, said the group threatened Singh before taking him away by force.
Victor Behera, state coordinator of the Bangiya Christiya Pariseba, also known as the Bengal Christian Council, said Singh was taken to a local office of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), where he was allegedly abused and tortured.
Singh was reportedly released later that evening after allegedly being forced to sign a written undertaking promising that he would no longer visit the villages to conduct prayer services.
Behera further alleged that Singh was made to record a video in which he was instructed to tell Christian families that Christianity was a foreign religion and that they should return to Hinduism.
Lawyer Samarjeet Dey is assisting those affected with filing a police complaint, according to Behera.
A separate incident occurred that same morning in Rangilabasan village in East Medinipur district, where around 125 people allegedly entered a house being used as a temporary Presbyterian church.
Most of the congregation had reportedly already left after the morning service when the crowd arrived. Chhabi Das, a Presbyterian church member who witnessed the incident, said the attackers vandalised the property and broke a cross into four pieces.
Tapan Samanta, whose home was being used for the prayer service, was also allegedly assaulted. Das said local police had routinely received written information about the Sunday worship services held at the house.
Several local women reportedly went to the property after hearing the disturbance and attempted to intervene. According to Das, the attackers dragged Samanta and some of the women to a local police station, although they were later released.
Herod Mullick, founding secretary of the Bengal Christian Council, said the incidents were particularly concerning because Christian groups had repeatedly received assurances from authorities that worshippers would be protected.
He said the continuing disruption and attacks during Sunday prayer services were deeply alarming.
Father Dominic Gomes, chancellor of the Archdiocese of Calcutta, also condemned the reported violence and intimidation. He called on police and district authorities to conduct a prompt and impartial investigation, identify those responsible regardless of their identity or affiliation, and ensure the safety of the affected Christians and their communities.
John Dayal, spokesperson for the All India Catholic Union, said the frequency and intensity of reported anti-Christian violence in West Bengal had reached an alarming level.
The latest incidents follow other reports of disruption to Christian gatherings in West Bengal in recent weeks. Christian organisations have raised concerns about a wider pattern of interference with house prayers and other religious activities, while authorities and others have also raised allegations of forced religious conversion in connection with some of the disputes.
The allegations surrounding the 6 September incidents remain subject to investigation, while Christian leaders are calling for the authorities to protect worshippers and ensure that any complaints are dealt with impartially.
Based on reporting by UCA News.
