Kolkata (AsiaNews) – A violent and despicable attack took place at a place of worship belonging to the Church of North India (CNI) – a denomination comprising Anglican and Protestant communities – located in Narayantala, within the Basanti police jurisdiction, South 24 Parganas district, West Bengal.
The attack took place during the inauguration ceremony for a newly built church, attended by Bishop Subrata Chakraborty of the CNI, several priests and numerous worshippers.
According to Subir Gayen and Prodip Mondal, members of the Narayantala congregation, the attack took place on Saturday at around 8.00 am. Bishop Chakraborty, together with members of the clergy from neighbouring churches, had entered the place of worship accompanied by a peaceful procession. Whilst the welcome ceremony in their honour was getting underway inside the church, a crowd of 30 to 35 men forcibly stormed the premises.
Attackers: “Prayers are not allowed here”
Eyewitnesses reported that, once inside, the attackers began indiscriminately beating worshippers and those present. Women were assaulted, forced to remove their shakha (traditional bracelets) and driven out of the church. The clergy were also targeted; the attackers physically assaulted the priests. The mobile phones of those attempting to film the attack were confiscated and destroyed. The attackers made explicit threats: “No singing, prayers or religious ceremonies will be allowed here. We will not permit religious services to take place under any circumstances.”
After receiving immediate information from Pastor Subhashish Gayen, Herod Mullick, founder and general secretary of the Bangiya Christiya Pariseba (BCP), or the Bengal Christian Council, contacted Subir Gayen, a lawyer, to assess the situation. The BCP’s legal adviser attempted to contact the local Inspector-in-Charge (IC), who reportedly repeatedly cut the calls short. The lawyer subsequently contacted the Superintendent of Police (SP) to report the acts of violence. Shortly afterwards, the IC informed the lawyer that a police patrol had been dispatched to the scene.
No opposition from the authorities
The leadership of the BCP advised the congregation involved to file a formal complaint with the police immediately. Herod Mullick spoke to AsiaNews about an unprecedented incident in which thugs beat several priests who were celebrating an inauguration ceremony together with the bishop. “Day after day, organised extremist groups take the law into their own hands by targeting peaceful minorities. Having encountered no significant opposition from the administration or the government, these attackers have become so brazen as to torture the priests of a recognised Church without hesitation.”
The church, like the clergy who were attacked whilst attending the service, belongs to the Church of North India (CUI) – a major Protestant denomination founded in 1970. “They are not defenceless or weak like isolated house churches. Church authorities – in particular the bishop who was present during the attack – are expected to take decisive legal and institutional action against those responsible,” Herod Mullick told AsiaNews.
