Kolkata (AsiaNews) – An attack by a mob on a gathering of Santal Christians in the Indian state of West Bengal has forced the early closure of an annual Bible conference, leaving participants frightened and raising fresh concerns about the safety of Christian communities in the eastern Indian state. The violence took place on 9 October at the Jalarkhali Divine Centre (pictured), on the premises of St Louis Parish Church in the district of Nadia, where the four-day Mega Santali Bible Conference was being held.
The incident forms part of a long series of intimidation incidents that began after last March’s local government elections saw the return to power in Kolkata of the Hindu nationalists of the BJP, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party. It should also be noted that West Bengal is one of the states where the controversial revision of the electoral roll – at the heart of the protests currently taking place in Delhi – has been carried out on the largest scale.
The Bishop of Krishnagar, Monsignor Nirmol Gomes, described the assault to AsiaNews as a premeditated attack: “Our Santal community were holding their annual retreat when these people arrived in lorryloads from elsewhere, carrying wooden sticks, clubs and other weapons. They attacked our people and caused extensive damage to the decorations and statues. Some of our people were also injured,” said the bishop.
According to a report on the incident prepared by Fr Michael Adesar, an eyewitness, around 200 people gathered outside the church on the evening of 9 October: the group reportedly chanted anti-Christian slogans, vandalised banners and pelted the premises with stones. The protective glass covering a statue of Divine Mercy was reportedly damaged. When local Catholics came out to defend the church premises and protest against the attack, they were reportedly attacked with bricks and bamboo sticks, resulting in several injuries.
Bishop Gomes said that the attackers made hate speeches against Christians and accused them of carrying out religious conversions: “Our people are afraid and the incident has created considerable tension,” he said.
The annual gathering had brought together more than 1,900 participants, including Santali-speaking Christians, catechumens and people interested in learning about Christianity. Father Vincent V.C., head of the organising committee, had obtained permission from the district magistrate for the event and for the use of loudspeakers. The police station had also been informed of the programme and the expected turnout. Following the violence, however, the civil authorities intervened and ordered the gathering to be halted, citing security concerns and the lack of the necessary administrative approval for a gathering of that size. The Diocese advised the organisers to comply with the order to protect the participants.
The Vicar General, Fr Pradip, and the Diocesan Financial Administrator, Fr Arul, went to the local police station to file a complaint. The officer on duty was reportedly initially reluctant to accept or investigate the complaint. A small police contingent subsequently arrived at the church entrance and went to the retreat centre to question individual participants.
Bishop Gomes has condemned the change in the atmosphere surrounding Christian communities in West Bengal. “Previously, there were sporadic, minor incidents here and there. But now the situation is alarming. They have incited people and sown suspicion about Christianity and our community. We cannot remain silent,” he said. The Church is responding with peaceful initiatives, including plans for a peace march, silent protests and prayer meetings to express opposition to violence and solidarity with those affected.
Herod Mullick – founder of the Bangiya Christiya Pariseba, an interfaith forum representing Christians in West Bengal – strongly condemned the incident, explaining that attacks on Christians are becoming increasingly brazen whilst the government remains silent. He also rejected allegations that Christian participants had started the clash by throwing stones. “That is completely untrue,” he said.
A three-member fact-finding team from the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) – the opposition party – led by MP Sagarika Ghose, also stated that it had verified that Christians in various parts of the state are facing intimidation, attacks and restrictions on their religious and civil rights. The delegation visited Christian institutions and schools in Kolkata, in the districts of North 24 Parganas and Paschim Medinipur, on the instructions of party leader Mamata Banerjee.
Ghose stated that Christians are being threatened with coercion to convert back to Hinduism, deprived of the right to burial and prevented from exercising certain civil rights. He also cited reports of vandalism against churches, intimidation of congregations and the use of loud music near prayer meetings to disrupt Christian worship. All this is taking place in areas where Christians and Hindus have traditionally coexisted peacefully.
