As monsoon season arrives Christians’ homes demolished in Polimpalli

In Chhattisgarh, the wave of intolerance in villages against those who refuse to renounce their Christian faith shows no sign of abating. The police are accused of collusion. Meanwhile, there have been further acts of intimidation in West Bengal too: four separate incidents took place last Sunday in the densely populated eastern Indian state, including an attack on a church under construction in Subhashgram.

Mumbai (AsiaNews) - The wave of intimidation against tribal Christians in the villages of Chhattisgarh shows no sign of abating: just yesterday in Polempalli, in the district of Sukma, their homes were demolished and vandalised by other members of the local community. Christian families were forced to flee just as torrential monsoon rains were lashing the area. Their possessions and household goods were looted.

The reason is always the same: their refusal to renounce the Christian faith. In the village of Polempalli, this violence has been continuing unabated for several months, and the Christians accuse the head of the local police station of complicity; despite having been informed, he appears to be offering no help.

A delegation from the Chhattisgarh Christian Forum met with and informed the authorities and the police superintendent of Sukma around two weeks ago. However, despite the reassurances received, no measures have yet been taken in the village of Polempalli to put an end to this violence.

Meanwhile, in West Bengal too – the densely populated eastern state of India where the BJP returned to power a few months ago – acts of intolerance towards Christians have begun to rise again. According to leaders of churches and Christian organisations, at least four incidents were reported on Sunday 5 July: the vandalism of a church under construction in Subhashgram, an alleged attack on the home of a Christian widow in Murshidabad, the disruption of a prayer meeting in Bankura, and an attack on Grace Church in Faridpur, in the district of Purba Bardhaman. Church representatives stated that these incidents have heightened concerns for the safety of Christians in the state and called on the authorities to guarantee the protection of places of worship and to bring those responsible to justice.

In Faridpur, Pastor Surajit Ghosh stated that the spread of false information and accusations against the church is fuelling hostility and creating fear amongst members of the community. He said that the parents of pupils at the church-run school are worried and expressed fears for the safety of staff, pupils and their families, calling on the authorities to take preventive measures to avoid further violence.

Pastor Surajit Ghosh also stated that the accusations levelled at the Christian community are false and misleading, arguing that they are intended to create misunderstandings and provoke hostility that could undermine social peace and harmony. He noted that the parents of the school’s pupils are deeply concerned about the situation.