Bengal: Christian families allege assault, de ath threats and forced religious rituals by Bajrang Dal during Durga Puja

Since the change of government in West Bengal, allegations of persecution of Christian minorities have emerged from various parts of the state. The alleged incidents continued during Durga Puja, Bengal’s biggest festival. During the festivities, three Christian families in Patlapur village, under the jurisdiction of Chandrakona police station in West Midnapore district, were allegedly subjected to an attack, physical assault, sexual harassment and pressure to abandon their religious beliefs.

Laxmi Mandal, a member of one of the affected families, has alleged that the attackers were associated with the Bajrang Dal. According to her, she and her family members were threatened with death if they refused to renounce their faith in Jesus Christ. The attackers also allegedly took them by force to a Durga Puja pandal and compelled them to participate in religious rituals against their wishes.

A complaint has been lodged at Chandrakona police station in connection with the incident. The Bangiya Christian Seva Sangathan has called for an impartial investigation, legal action against those accused and adequate security for the affected families.

In the complaint submitted to Chandrakona police station on October 20, Laxmi Mandal alleged that a group of people arrived at her house at around 3.30 pm on October 18 and pressured her family to renounce their faith in Jesus Christ. The complaint names several individuals, including Dilip Mishra, Bappaditya Chatterjee, Ranjit Dolui and Bapi Mandal.

According to Laxmi, Ranjit Dolui struck her on the head and below the ear. She alleged that after she lost consciousness, her clothes were torn off and she was bathed against her will as part of a purported ‘purification’ ritual. The complaint further states that she was subjected to obscene verbal abuse and that her minor daughter was threatened with rape and abduction.

Laxmi Mandal alleged that Banshree Mandal and Saraswati Mandal were also attacked on the same day. They were allegedly assaulted, while the lock on Saraswati’s house was broken and approximately Rs 20,000 was stolen. The complaint also accuses the attackers of attempting to strangle Banshree’s approximately 15-year-old daughter, Rishita Mandal, and threatening her with rape and abduction.

The complainant further alleged that the families were threatened with being burnt alive if they approached the police. On the evening of October 18, they attempted to alert the police by calling the emergency helpline.

According to the complaint, on October 19, Laxmi Mandal, her husband, Banshree Mandal and her husband, Gopal Mandal, along with several others, were forcibly taken to a Durga Puja pandal in Dingal village. They were allegedly compelled to participate in religious rituals against their wishes.

The following morning, October 20, Laxmi’s husband and Ashok Mandal were allegedly taken away by force to another location. Laxmi claimed that the family was threatened with death if they refused to renounce their faith in Jesus Christ. The complaint also states that she was confined inside her house and prevented from going outside. She expressed concern about the safety of an elderly, paralysed member of the family.

The Bangiya Christian Seva Sangathan has expressed concern over the incident. Subir Sarkar, a representative of the organisation, described it as an extremely unfortunate and condemnable incident. He claimed that the organisation had received reports of multiple incidents of alleged persecution of Christians in different parts of the state.

“Some 35 to 37 incidents have taken place that have come to our notice,” he said.

Sarkar stated that although individuals accused in various incidents had identified themselves as members of a particular organisation, it was necessary to investigate whether the organisation concerned had been directly involved in each case.

“I do not know whether those organisations are actually doing this or whether some other hooligans are operating under their names,” he said.

He maintained that allegations of religious conversion should be investigated by the authorities. However, he said, even where such allegations have been raised, the administration must take effective action to prevent attacks on or intimidation of individuals and families before the allegations have been resolved.

Sarkar further alleged that failure to take appropriate action against those responsible for such incidents could embolden the perpetrators. He appealed to the Chief Minister to ensure an impartial investigation into the complaints filed by the affected families and exemplary punishment if the accused are found guilty. He also said that he was attempting to arrange a meeting with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat to appeal for an end to such incidents.

When Inscript contacted Laxmi Mandal, she said that although the police had now provided security, her family remained deeply frightened. She was so traumatised by the incident that she was struggling to speak properly.

A series of such incidents across the state is raising growing concerns about the safety of religious minorities. The administration’s response to the allegations remains to be seen.