Attacks on Christians continue in Bengal: Mother Mary’s statue vandalised in South 24 Parganas
A statue of Mother Mary has been vandalised in South 24 Parganas amid a series of alleged attacks on Christians and churches across West Bengal. With at least 60 incidents reported since May, concerns over minority safety continue to grow.
Attacks on Christians and churches across West Bengal continue. The latest incident involves the alleged vandalism of a statue of Mother Mary in Khari bamuner Chak village under Raidighi police station in South 24 Parganas. Miscreants allegedly damaged the statue on Sunday night. Local resident Babul Malik first noticed the damage on Monday morning. He informed Khokon Ghosh, a local Christian leader.
Khari Bamuner Chak falls under the Baruipur Catholic Pastoral Region. A sizeable Christian population lives in the village. Father Ujjal Mondal visited the area on Monday after receiving news of the incident. He spoke to local residents and informed the police. The police have started an investigation. Church worshippers and members of the local Christian community have also called a meeting for Monday afternoon. They have announced plans to submit a written complaint at the local police station.
Herod Mallick, state secretary of the Bangiya Khristiya Parisheba, strongly condemned the incident. He alleged that the civil rights and constitutional protections of Christians were repeatedly being ignored. He also claimed that the failure to take swift action against those responsible for such incidents was encouraging further attacks. This has increased the sense of insecurity among members of the minority community. Mallick demanded prompt and strict action from the administration.
The identity of those involved in the vandalism remains unknown. The motive behind the incident is also unclear. The police investigation may shed light on the matter.
The incident comes amid growing concerns over attacks on Christians across the state. On 5 November, the Bangiya Khristiya Parisheba organised a large prayer gathering at Rani Rashmoni Road in Kolkata. Christians from different parts of West Bengal attended the event. The gathering called for peaceful resistance. Participants also expressed their faith in the government and the administration.
Herod Mallick, the organisation's founder and state secretary, said they had held discussions with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). The aim was to prevent attacks on the Christian community. However, he claimed that the discussions had brought no significant improvement.
Another incident was reported the very next day. On 6 November, a Catholic church in Basanti, South 24 Parganas, allegedly came under attack. A few days earlier, on 31 October, violence broke out during the inauguration of a newly built Church of North India (CNI) church at Narayantala in Basanti. Miscreants allegedly assaulted priests and worshippers.
Several organisations, including the Bajrang Dal and Hindu Jagran Manch, have faced allegations of involvement in attacks on Christians across different parts of West Bengal. Attackers have reportedly raised slogans of 'Jai Shri Ram' during several such incidents. Videos of attacks on churches and members of the Christian community have also surfaced.
These incidents raise serious questions about the safety of Christians in the state. Are the authorities doing enough to prevent such attacks? Is the registration of an FIR after an incident sufficient? Should senior officials not send a stronger message against such acts?
According to data from India Hate Lab, at least 60 incidents of attacks on Christians were recorded across 13 districts of West Bengal between 13 May and 20 September 2026. Several more incidents have taken place since then. The number could cross 100 if the attacks continue at this rate.
How long will members of the Christian minority have to live in fear? The question remains.
