A shrine dedicated to the Virgin Mary has been vandalised in West Bengal, raising concern among local Christians about the safety of religious sites and increasing reports of hostility towards Christian communities.
The damage was discovered on 9 November at a Catholic church compound in Khari Bamuner Chak village, in the Raidighi area of South 24 Parganas district.
The Marian shrine stood inside a fenced church property within the Baruipur pastoral region. Local residents believe it was damaged during the night.
The grotto was an important place of prayer and devotion for Catholics in the village, which has a predominantly Christian population.
Church representatives have reported the incident to the Raidighi police. Officers visited the location and began an investigation. However, no suspects have been identified, and the reason behind the vandalism remains unknown.
Some members of the Christian community suspect that individuals linked to Hindu nationalist groups may have been involved, although this has not been established by investigators.
Father Ujjwal Mondal, head of the local pastoral region, visited the damaged shrine after the incident. Speaking to The Telegraph, he said the act appeared intended to hurt the religious feelings of Christians.
He called for those responsible to be identified and brought to justice, stressing the importance of maintaining peace and mutual respect among different religious communities.
The vandalism comes amid wider concerns about reported attacks and intimidation involving churches and Christian institutions across West Bengal.
Christian organisations have repeatedly called on the authorities to investigate such incidents properly, identify those responsible and take effective action to protect religious communities.
Church representatives have expressed concern that complaints are sometimes recorded without sufficient follow-up investigations or action against alleged perpetrators.
The latest incident also follows a major Christian prayer and protest rally held in Kolkata on 5 November, where thousands gathered to call for religious freedom and an end to attacks against believers.
Organised by the Bangiya Christiya Pariseba (BCP), also known as the Bengal Christian Council, the gathering took place along Rani Rashmoni Avenue in the Esplanade area.
According to organisers, at least 12,000 Christians attended the event. Participants included members of different Christian denominations from West Bengal and neighbouring states, including Odisha, Nagaland and Mizoram.
During the rally, Archbishop Elius Frank of Kolkata called on Christians from different denominations to remain united despite the difficulties facing their communities.
He emphasised that differences in church traditions and practices should not divide Christians, as their shared faith in Jesus Christ remains their common foundation.
The archbishop also referred to the words of St Paul, reminding believers that when one member of the Christian community suffers, the entire community shares in that suffering.
He encouraged Christians to stand alongside those affected by violence and intimidation, while also praying for those responsible.
According to the archbishop, Christian faith calls believers to respond to suffering with compassion, forgiveness and prayer rather than hatred.
Herod Mullick, founding secretary of the BCP, described the situation facing Christians in West Bengal as an unprecedented crisis.
He said the organisation had received reports of 48 incidents involving alleged intimidation and attacks against Christians. However, he warned that the actual number could be higher.
Mullick also claimed that police had failed to register formal complaints in 16 cases.
In an effort to address the growing concerns, BCP representatives met Jishnu Basu, a local representative of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), on 4 November.
The discussions focused on reported attacks against Christians and disagreements surrounding allegations of forced religious conversion.
Mullick described the meeting as constructive and said Basu had indicated his willingness to bring the Christian community's concerns to the attention of West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.
The BCP also expressed interest in meeting RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat to discuss the situation.
Christian representatives are also seeking opportunities to engage with Hindu organisations and address misunderstandings surrounding Christian worship and religious conversion.
A meeting involving the BCP and representatives of different Christian denominations was expected to take place before the end of November, with discussions focusing on religious practices and allegations of forced conversions.
The vandalism of the Marian shrine has added to concerns among Christians in West Bengal about their ability to worship and maintain their religious institutions without fear.
Church leaders continue to call for proper investigations, protection of places of worship and peaceful relations between religious communities.
Based on reporting by Asia News.
